2024 Masonic Cancer Center Annual Dinner

 

On April 26, 2024, the Masonic Cancer Center held its annual dinner at the Minnesota Masonic Heritage Center in Bloomington, Minnesota.

Scientists, Researchers, Physicians, Medical Professionals and Masons gather once a year to celebrate the incredible partnership between Minnesota Masonic Charities and the Masonic Cancer Center. This partnership in the battle against cancer was established in 1955 and has grown and become stronger over the years. This year there were a total of 215 attendees at this year’s dinner.

As Jakub Tolar, Dean of the University of Minnesota Medical School stated, the Masons of Minnesota have been champions of the University of Minnesota for over 68 years. The buildings that the Masons have built are very visible on campus but more importantly, what is not seen, are the lives of people who are saved by the treatments, surgeries, trials, and discoveries that have impacted people’s lives for over sixty years.

All these efforts have created cancer survivors, providing the gift of time to live life and experience the joys of life.

On such survivor is Boyd Huppert, a reporter for Kare 11, who shared with us his story. He stated that in 2021 he was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma, a rare form of blood cancer, for which there was no cure, but was treatable.

Boyd described his initial diagnosis, made complicated by the state of his blood, which required 45 bags of donor plasma to stabilize him, to his experience of receiving treatment at the Masonic Cancer Center and his subsequent bone marrow transplant.

Boyd found inspiration for his journey, from the story he told about Kelly Klein, a Kindergarten Teacher at Falcon Heights Elementary, who instructed her class from the hospital while receiving chemotherapy. Kelly attended the annual dinner and was introduced by Boyd.

Boyd said that he will continue to receive treatments for his cancer, but that being a survivor has given him time to continue to work, enjoy his family and hold his new grandchild.  His description of holding his grandchild for the first time following this bone marrow transplant, was a powerful reminder of the emotions and joy that accompany the “time” that is given to cancer survivors.

It was an evening of celebration and learning about the continuum of care that supports all cancer survivors, from childhood to older adulthood, at the Masonic Cancer Center and to renew the shared pledge to between the Masons and the University of Minnesota, to eliminate Cancer from our world.

 

We Lost a Good Friend and Brother Bill Peterson

 

Bill Peterson is one of the reasons, so many years ago that I joined the Craft.

Willis "Bill" Delano Peterson

November 3, 1933 — March 31, 2024

There will be a Masonic Funeral at 7:30 pm on Sunday April 7, 2024 at the end

of the visitation (5:00-7:30PM). The Masonic Funeral will be at the Olson Funeral Chapel next to Jasper Lodge in Rush City. Jerry Oliver will be the presiding WM. For those wishing to attend and participate, please arrive at Jasper Lodge by 7:00 pm.

https://www.funeralandcremationservice.com/obituaries/willis-bill-peterson

Full obituary and church service details below:

Willis "Bill" Peterson of Cambridge, MN passed away on Sunday, March 31, 2024 at Ecumen of North Branch at the age of 90.

Willis Delano Peterson was born on November 3, 1933 to Hilding and Blanche (Osell) Peterson in Harris, Minnesota. He attended grade school in Harris, high school in North Branch, and college at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis.

Bill married Elaine Swanson in 1957 and they had 4 children. He began working for Keebler Co. in 1952 while going to college. In 1954 he was drafted into the Army. He served as the training NCO for the 65th AAA in Okinawa. Upon his discharge, he went back to Keebler Co. and went into Sales. He was promoted to Sales Manager in 1963. After 38 years at Keebler he retired and moved to the lake home on Goose Lake near Harris.

In 1964, he joined the Masons, Scottish Rite and the Shrine. His 2 daughters became active in Jobs daughters and his 2 sons were active in DeMolay. Bill was Associate Guardian for Jobs daughters and was an Advisor for DeMolay. He was also the President of the local Boy Scout troop and was a Webelo Leader.

While in the Shrine, he held many positions. He joined the Legion of Honor and was both Captain and Commander. He held numerous offices in the Shrine over the many years, interfacing with multiple Shrine Clubs, and was also on the Shrine Board of Trustees. In 1998 he was elected as the Zuhrah Shrine Potentate. He was active with the Shrine for 60 years.

After his retirement from Keebler in 1990, he drove school bus for North Branch schools for 8 years, and then started teaching Driver Safety classes in Rush City for the next 12 years.

Bill is survived by his significant other Theresa Pearson; sons Steve Peterson (Jenny), Mike (Stacey) Peterson; son-in-law Larry Schlagel (Bonnie); grandchildren Ryan (Lindsay) Schlagel, Jamie (Zach) Dingmann, Jordan (Anna) Shearer, Sam (Charsi) Shearer, Jenna (Austin) Grazier, Jason (Alexandria) Peterson, Austin (Emma) Peterson, Logan Peterson, Mikala Peterson; step-grandchildren Emily (Nate) Sleck, David Ruthven; great-grandchildren Jackson Schlagel, Julia Schlagel, Weston Shearer, Wade Shearer, Paxton Sleck, Rowan, Sleck, Salem Peterson; brother-in-law Vern Reideger; many nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents Hilding and Blanche Peterson; wife Elaine Peterson; daughters Lori Schlagel, Joni (Dan) Shearer; grandson Alex Peterson; siblings Wendall (Harriet) Peterson, Eleanor (Dale) Erickson, Alden (Joyce) Peterson, Vernie (Ruth) Peterson, Don Peterson, Arvin (Harlean) Peterson, Dorene Reideger. 

Pastor Andy Romstad will officiate at Bill's funeral service: 11 AM; Monday April 8, 2024 at the Cambridge Lutheran Church in Cambridge. A time of visitation and reviewal is planned from 5-7:30 PM Sunday, April 7, 2024 with a Masonic Service at 7:30 PM at the Olson Funeral Chapel in Rush City and additional visitation time one hour prior to the service at the church. The interment with military honors will take place in Oak Grove Cemetery, Harris at 2:15 PM.