Alan Pettit

Alan Wesley Pettit was born on January 17, 1925 in Bertha Township, MN, to Charles Percy and Anna Elizabeth (Wyffle) Pettit. He passed away, at age 84, on September 28, 2009 at Tri-County Hospital in Wadena. Alan was raised and educated in Verndale. He continued his education at St. Cloud State and entered the military after one year. He entered the United States Army in June 1943 and was honorably discharged in January 1946, receiving a Purple Heart. Alan was united in marriage with Jean Dolores Stuntebeck at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Wadena on August 12, 1947. Alan served the Verndale and Wadena communities as a member of the Lions Club, Elks Club, Knights of Columbus, MBA, Garden Club, and St. Ann’s Catholic Church. These communities will remember him as a prominent businessman in the banking industry for over 50 years, and as owner of the First National Bank in Wadena. As an avid outdoorsman he enjoyed hunting and fishing. His sports enthusiasm was for golf and basketball. He loved to travel and his destinations often included a casino. He loved to grow vegetables and flowers. He passed on his love of various interests to his children and grandchildren. Alan lived a life with struggles and triumphs. Family and friends knew him as a generous man, yet simple and humble. He never met a stranger and was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and loyal friend to many. Alan was preceded in death by his parents Charles “Percy” and Anna; brothers, Robert, James, and Bert; sisters and brothers-in-law Blanche and Dale Mielke, and Margaret and Lee Strubel; and sister-in-law, Betty Fiskum. He is survived by his beloved wife of 62 years, Jean; sons Jeff (Mary), and Scott (Paula) both of Wadena; daughter, Diane (David Bjerknes) Pettit of Edina; 14 grandchildren, NeTessa (Jon) Regenold, Travis, Chelsea, Jascha, Wyatt, Colter, Bridger, Jarrett, and Lleyten Pettit, Jamie Pettit, Cory Pettit, Maggie (Mike) Jacobson, Emily (Bob) Weiher, and Linnea Bjerknes; 5 great-grandchildren, Lillia Regenold, Jacksen Pettit, Kloe Pettit-Sperling, Jaeger Pettit and Summer Pettit; brother, Charles (Eileen) Pettit of Brainerd; and brother-in-law, Loren (Ione) Fiskum of Wadena. The Mass of Christian Burial was be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, October 2, 2009 in St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Wadena with Father Donald Wagner as celebrant. Interment was in St. Frederick’s Catholic Cemetery in Verndale. Honorary pallbearers were all of Alan’s grandchildren.

Alan Pettit

January 17, 1925 - September 28, 2009