Pastor

Pastor Keith Petersen joined St. Matthew’s of Danube and St. John’s of Renville June 11, 2023.

Pastor Keith Petersen

Pastor Keith E. Petersen was born April 22, 1960, in Kenosha WI. The oldest of two boys, he attended area schools until the family moved near Bethany Lutheran in Kenosha where he attended 7th and 8th grade. He continued his education at Shoreland Lutheran High School, graduating in 1978, becoming the first graduate of his school to enter the preaching ministry. He finished his education at Northwestern College in Watertown WI in 1982 and Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in 1986.

Pastor Petersen was called from the field (not assigned) by Peace of Carlock, St. John’s of Herrick and Grace Lutheran of Burke, all in South Dakota, in December of 1986.  He was installed in early 1987.  

On June 17, 1995, he married Julene Schleusener at Christ in Grand Island NE.

In late 2000, Pastor Petersen accepted a call to St. John’s of Rauville and Bethlehem of Watertown SD.  After St. John’s closed in 2003, he served St. Paul’s in Henry, SD, as vacancy pastor until it became a dual parish with Bethlehem in January 2006.  During their time there, the Petersen’s helped with the creation of the Jesus Cares Program with help from Julie Luetke of Olivia and helped lead it from 2003 until mid 2023. 

In January 2023, Pastor Petersen accepted a call to the dual parish of St. Matthew’s in Danube and St. John’s in Renville, MN.

Pastor Petersen and his wife, Julene, have four daughters.  Tessa of Romulus MI, Faith (Skyler) Westerman of Brookings SD, Samantha of Danube MN and Angelica of Danube MN who is presently attending Great Plains Lutheran High School in Watertown, SD.

St. Matthew’s Phone (320) 826-2280

St. John’s Renville (320) 329-3826

Pastor’s Cell (605) 520-0260

Parsonage (320) 826-2280

Email [email protected]

Pastor Keith and Julene Petersen