Michael Peterson

Michael "Mike" Jon Peterson Obituary

Age 62 of White Bear Lake passed away on Tuesday, June 25th 2024..

He is preceded in death by his parents Kay and Donald Peterson.

He will be missed by his wife of 36 years Danielle Cezanne; daughter Arielle (Adam) Lifto; Granddaughter Edie; sibling Susan (Mike) Steadman; brothers by marriage Bob (Lisa-Marie) Hanson, Dan Hanson and Eric Hanson; many nieces, nephews, and beloved friends.

Mike grew up in South Saint Paul and graduated from Eden Prairie high school before getting his degree from Minneapolis College of Art and Design. Mike met the love of his life Danielle, on the Minneapolis music scene. Over the 36 years of marriage they shared, Mike would never miss a chance to mention how in awe he was of their love.

With unlimited passions, Mike was a true creative. He was a talented artist across all mediums most recently in CGI and digital creations but his other endeavors included drawing, animation, practical and special effects. Mike also had a love of music, he was a skilled musician of the guitar, drums, keyboard and bass. Not only proficient at playing he also created a number of instruments over the years. His first passion was film. He started filmmaking at a young age and continued throughout his life until the realization of his dreams in creating the feature film Insectula!

For those who knew him, he was a medical marvel. Oftentimes, when asked about what was ailing him, we would often joke "What isn't?" But more than anything it showed what a remarkably resilient man he was. While Mike survived his cancer, heart attacks, lung collapses, open heart surgery, MRSA, as well as a sternectomy. Mike was disabled in 2017 by a failed heart surgery that left him on oxygen, wheelchair bound and eventually in hospice. While originally given a prognosis of less than six months to live, Mike, much to the surprise of everyone, not only survived those 6 months, but managed to live an extra 7 years.

Mike made the most of those seven years, never taking them for granted. Mike's resiliency allowed him to continue to create by throwing himself into passion projects, meet his future son-in-law Adam, watch his only child Arielle get married and become a grandfather to one of the biggest joys in his life, his granddaughter Edie. As well as make numerous connections across the world through his art. His wife Danielle stood by his side and made all of it possible with her unending support, love and care.

Mike was a passionate lifelong learner who had a deep love for self-education, delving extensively into a wide array of subjects, particularly music. His profound knowledge was unparalleled.

To know him was also to laugh with him, his sense of humor was renowned. The world will be a little less weird without him, and we will miss him so very much. He is gone to meet his maker (again). He often talked about that he wasn't afraid of dying, but he regretted that he would be missing out on the advancement of technology to come.

A memorial service is scheduled to take place on Friday, July 26th at 1 p.m. with a visitation an hour prior at Simple Traditions Funeral Home, 671 Snelling Ave S. Saint Paul, MN 55116 and a backyard reception will take place offsite following the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made out to the family.