John Peterson

John Peterson, age 82, of Decorah, IA died Saturday, March 16, 2013 at the Barthell Eastern Star Nursing Home in Decorah, IA. Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m., Monday, March 25, 2013, at the Burr Oak Lutheran Church, at 2358-260th St., in Burr Oak, IA, with Rev. Matt Larson presiding. Burial will be at the Hauge Lutheran Cemetery, rural Decorah, IA, in the spring. Friends may call from 2:00-6:00 p.m., on Sunday, March 24, 2013, at the Schluter – Balik Funeral Home, 604 South Avenue, Decorah, IA, and also after 10:00 a.m., at the church on Monday morning. John LeRoy Peterson was born on September 5, 1930, the son of John and Lenora (Danielson) Peterson, Sr., on the family farm north of Decorah, Iowa. John was baptized September 28, 1930 at the Hauge Lutheran Church. John attended country school and graduated from Decorah High School in 1949. John served in the US Army in the Military Police in Japan for two years. He was united in marriage to Lorraine Anderson on August 25, 1956, at the Henrytown Lutheran Church, near Harmony, MN. Together they farmed north of Decorah for many years. John enjoyed woodworking, getting together with the “Monday Nighters”, square dancing and polka dancing with the Skyliner Polka Club. He enjoyed playing cards and visiting with family and friends. John was a member of the Burr Oak Lutheran Church, where he served on the church Council. He also was on the Board of Directors for the Midland Coop. He was a member of the Joseph B. Lund American Legion Post #299 in Mabel, MN. John is survived by his wife: Lorraine Peterson, Decorah, IA. One daughter: Lori (Joe) Musil, Ely, IA. Four sons: Brent (Pam) Whitehouse Station, NJ; Bradley (Rhonda) Peterson, Decorah, IA; Bruce (Lisa) Peterson, Decorah, IA; and Brian (Becky) Peterson, Decorah, IA. Fifteen grandchildren: Jeremy Musil, Jorunn Musil, Jared Musil, Zach Peterson, Paige Peterson, Jake Peterson, Brandon (Jenny) Peterson, Bryce (Sarah) Peterson, Sasha Peterson, Chad (fiancé Amber Martin) Tripp, Andy Dralle, Ali Frana, Sheena (Adam) Tollefson, Adam (fiancé, Ashley Steeves) Suckow, and Meretta Peterson. Four great grandchildren: Braden Peterson, Kiley Peterson, Ayden Peterson and Raegan Peterson. Two brothers: Robert (Grace) Peterson, Decorah, IA, and Charles (Rose) Peterson, Decorah, IA. One sister: Helen (Rev. O. Paul) Hougen, Decorah, IA. One sister-in-law: Nila Klinge, Cedar Rapids, IA, along with many nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews. John was preceded in death by his parents: John and Lenora (Danielson) Peterson, Sr. Two sisters: Lucella (Virgil) Bender and Doris (Walter) Bender. One brother: Ervin (Dorothy) Peterson. John’s father and mother-in-law: Irvin and Ruth Anderson. Two brothers-in-law: Willard (Mary) Anderson and Norm Klinge.