Herbert “Tuttie” Petersen

Herbert “Tuttie” Petersen, 92, of Milbank, SD, passed away on Wednesday, February 14, 2024, at Avantara in Milbank. 

Funeral services will be held on Monday, February 19, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. at American Lutheran Church in Milbank. Visitation will be held at the church on Sunday from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue at the church on Monday, one hour prior to the service. Burial will be at the Milbank City Cemetery.

Military honors will be provided by American Legion Birch-Miller Post #9, V.F.W. Grant County Post #3486, V.V.A. Northeast SD Chapter #1054, and D.A.V. Chapter #19. Honorary bearers will be members of the Milbank Volunteer Fire Department. Casket bearers will be: Tyler Keller, Craig Barlund, Justin Petersen, Eric Petersen, Larry Moyer, and Madison Olafson.

Herbert Fredrick Petersen was born on March 26, 1931, in Milbank, SD. He was the son of Ferdinand and Frieda (Fredrichsen) Petersen. As a young man he was lovingly given the nickname “Tuttie” which he was called all his life. He grew up in Grant County and attended school through the eighth grade.

Tuttie worked for Dakota Granite Company until he joined the United States Army in 1951, at age 21. He was honorably discharged in 1954, and was awarded the Occupation Medal (Germany) and National Defense Service Medal. 

He returned to Milbank and was united in marriage with Arla Mae Ludvigson on June 12, 1959. Tuttie and his business partner, Darrell Aden, owned and operated the Conoco Gas Station. He later sold his share of the business to Aden. He owned and operated the Cozy Lane Tavern on Main Street with his business partner of many years, Duane Reiners. While running Cozy Lane, Tuttie and Duane realized the need for reliable service as it related to entertainment at the tavern. This resulted in the establishment of Mill Amusement Music and Vending Company in the early 1960’s. The business grew to three locations: Milbank, Watertown, and Benson, MN; which they operated for over 20 years until they eventually sold the business. Tuttie then drove truck for Bracht Transportation for several years until starting his own trucking company, Mill Transfer. He continued to operate Mill Transfer until his retirement. During his retirement, Tuttie worked part time for Hedahl Auto Parts making deliveries of parts and motors until heath issues arose.

Tuttie enjoyed many outdoor activities. He and his brother, Melvin “Ferd”, had a lake cabin on Big Sone Lake where they enjoyed fishing and water skiing. They even built a couple of boats! Eventually, Tuttie and Duane built a cabin at Hiawatha Beach and enjoyed many years of great memories.

Tuttie enjoyed hunting, especially waterfowl and pheasants. He also enjoyed hunting trips in western South Dakota and eastern Montana for antelope and deer.

Tuttie was a faithful and active member of the Milbank Volunteer Fire Department. He was a proud member of the Veteran’s of Foreign Wars and participated on drill team events for parades, ceremonies, and funerals.

Tuttie loved and cherished his family. He loved to take his children fishing and hunting. The family enjoyed many camping trips and wonderful times at the lake. He adored his dogs and usually had one with him in his truck at all times. He was even known to take the neighbor’s dog for a ride!

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Arla Mae Petersen of Milbank, SD; his children: Gwen Petersen of Louisville, KY; Gail (Doug) Barlund of Milbank, SD; Owen (Teresa) Petersen of Renner, SD; and Amy Petersen of Tucson, AZ; 8 grandchildren: Justin (Courtney) Petersen, Eric (Lauryn) Petersen, Tyler (Lindsey) Keller, Gretchen Biersbach, Kirsten Biersbach (fiancé Madison Olafson), Craig (Jenn) Barlund, Olivia (Nick) Mears, Rebecca (Spencer) Folk; 11 great-grandchildren: Reegan, Roran, and Kylan Folk; Briggs, Taves, and Nils Mears;  Palmer and Camden Barlund, Mila Petersen, Audrey and Graham Keller.

He was preceded in death by his parents: Ferdinand and Frieda; and his brother, Melvin.