Hans William Peters

Hans W. ("Willie") Peters, age 47, died March 31, 2022 in Owatonna, MN after battling cancer for several years.

Born on February 13, 1975 in Lake City, MN to John F. and Cathryn Jungroth Peters, Hans grew up in Rochester, MN and nearby Hammond, MN and graduated from John Marshall High School, class of 1993, in Rochester.

After high school, Hans moved to Minneapolis, MN, attended Dunwoody College of Technology and did metal fabrication and CAD design for a sign company and later construction and HVAC work. After a short time, he met the love of his life, Heidi Strack. Hans and Heidi were married on June 29, 2002 in Minneapolis where they later welcomed into this world their two amazing sons, John and Oliver. In 2020, Hans and family moved to Owatonna, MN.

Hans was a renaissance man in that he had an incredible curiosity about the world and was constantly learning new skills such as metal fabrication of custom motorcycles; wrenching on cars, motorcycles and bicycles; designing and casting of metal belt buckles and motorcycle parts; constructing a portable cobb pizza oven; hand crafting leather shoes; building a wooden sailboat; designing and building garages and homes; brewing beer; making wine; building a banjo; playing guitar and bass guitar; raising chickens; and hunting.

Hans was a generous and patient friend to many and had a gift of striking up a conversation with all walks of life. He was adventurous and enjoyed exploring new places. Hans possessed an infectious laugh, loved to have fun and is deeply missed by everyone who knew him.

Hans is survived by his wife, Heidi Peters and sons, John and Oliver Peters of Owatonna, MN; mother, Cathryn Peters of Hudson, WI; sister, Margaret (Joseph) Rouleau of Hudson, WI; and a host of beloved aunts, uncles, and cousins. All of which he loved and touched deeply.

Hans is preceded in death by his father, John F. Peters of Angora, MN; grandfather, Hans J. Peters of Lake City, MN; grandmother, Dorothy Peters of Minneapolis, MN; uncle, Mark C. Peters of Rush City, MN; grandfather, John (Jack) W. Jungroth and grandmother Phyllis Jungroth, Oklahoma City, OK.

A celebration of life was held on May 15, 2022 in Manthey Park in Owatonna, MN.