AXEL PETERSON

Brookside Custodian Axel Peterson was as much a clown, father figure, and protector as custodian, and was famous for holding naughty kids by the feet with their heads in the wastebasket. He worked at Brookside School from 1948 to 1973.

Axel was born on July 8, 1907 in Bellingham, Minnesota. He came to the St. Louis Park area in the 1940’s with his brother Art, and first worked at the Interlachen Country Club. He married Helen Ginsky, perhaps late in life, and had a stepson Willard Ginsky and stepdaughter Donna Ginsky Martin.

When he retired, an "Accolades for Axel" was held at the school on May 24, 1973. The Minneapolis Star reported that the City of St. Louis Park named the day "Axel Peterson Day," the school renamed itself "Axel Academy," students performed a play and drew a mural, and teachers wrote songs and danced the "Axel Square Dance" in his honor. The auditorium overflowed with former students, teachers, and parents.

With his water pistol, practical jokes, and just plain "fooling around," Axel was sorely missed. He passed away in a nursing home in Apple Valley on December 20, 1999 and is buried at Fort Snelling.

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This information comes from a variety of sources: newspapers, books, yearbooks, phone directories, interviews, etc. Given the varied sources, we cannot guarantee that all of this information is correct, and welcome any additions and corrections. Please contact us with your contributions and comments.