Rodney “Peter” Nackerud age 86 of Walnut Grove passed away Monday, May 20, 2013 at Westbrook Good Samaritan Care Center in Westbrook, MN.

Funeral services will be at 2:00 p.m. Friday, May 24 at St. Olaf Lutheran Church, rural Walnut Grove.

Visitation is 5:00-7:00 p.m. Thursday at the Walnut Grove Funeral Home and will continue one hour prior to services at the church on Friday. Burial is in the church cemetery. Online condolences may be sent at www.stephensfuneralservice.com. Stephens Funeral Service – Walnut Grove Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Rodney “Peter” Nackerud was born March 3, 1927 in Tracy, MN to Andrew and Julia (Olson) Nackerud. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Olaf Lutheran Church. Rodney attended Bakken country school and graduated from Walnut Grove High School in 1945. Following graduation, he enlisted in the US Navy and was stationed in Shanghai, China. In 1947, Rodney came back to spend his life farming and raising cattle. He farmed until he was 70 years old. On January 12, 1980 he married Anna Belle Haensel in Tracy, Minnesota. Even though he battled polio, Rodney didn’t let it hold him back. He continued farming, riding snowmobile and motorcycle, and he enjoyed hunting. Rodney was a member of the VFW and American Legion for 68 years.

Rodney is survived by his wife Anna; step children Robin Groess of Walnut Grove and Robert Groess of Effie; nieces and nephew: Nancy (Dave) Herder of Walnut Grove, Kay (Mark) Koblegard of Walnut Grove, Al (Linda) Bakken of Belgrade, MT, and many other nieces and nephews; numerous great nieces and nephews, great-great nieces and nephews; and many other relatives and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents, brothers Leif, Alf, Harry, Franz, and Rolf Nackerud, sister Margie Bakken, and great nephew Derek Bakken.