Judge Duane & Patte Peterson Scholarship

Duane and Patte (Hart) Peterson were born and raised in Duluth, MN. Duane had two younger brothers and Patte was the middle child, with two older siblings and two younger ones.

Duane graduated from Duluth Cathedral High School and attended the Duluth State Teachers College (now the University of Minnesota, Duluth) for two years. He then attended the St. Paul College of Law (presently the William Mitchell College of Law) graduating Cum Laude in 1953.

Patte graduated from Stanbrook Hall, a private girl’s high school in Duluth MN. Patte received her English-Education degree from the College of St. Scholastica Duluth.

Patte & Duane were married in 1952. They spent the first year of their marriage in St. Paul, MN. while Duane finished law school. Upon graduating from law school Duane enlisted in the United States Marine Corps during the Korean Police Action. Duane was sent to the Naval Justice School in Newport, RI., and thereafter he spent his military duty practicing law in Miami at the Opa Locka Air Base as an attorney for the Marines. After Duane’s discharge he continued to serve his country in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves reaching the rank of Captain. During this time Duane & Patte welcomed their first son, Mark.

Duane, Patte & Mark returned to Minnesota, Duane joined the Plunkett Firm in Austin, Rochester and lastly Winona, after one year in Winona he formed his own law firm and practiced for 32 years. In 1989, Duane was appointed to the bench in Houston County. From there he retired in 1999.

Patte & Duane had five children, Patte was fortunate to be a stay at home Mother and a community volunteer. Patte enjoyed her volunteer work with the American Cancer Society, Winona Hospital Auxiliary, AAUW, United Way and Winona State University Scholarship Campaign Cabinet. She also had a radio show at KWNO the “Choate Musical Clock”. While doing all this Patte still found time to take post graduate classes at WSU.

Ron Henry, then a professor at WSU was hoping to start a Paralegal Program at Winona State College. He spoke with Duane and explained all his hopes and plans for the new program. Through much research, work and planning the two were able to start the Paralegal Program at WSU. In the beginning Duane taught all the legal classes-the first year’s graduates still complain about the amount of assignments they had. When he became a judge, he continued to teach for one year, he was forced to stop as classes were either early in the morning or evening, the students were unhappy with this schedule.

Duane and Patte were blessed with 13 grandchildren and 1 great granddaughter. Duane passed away in 2009.

Scholarship contact is Patte.