Peter Estrem

Peter Estrem, age 46, of Waterloo, IA, formerly of Decorah, joined his father in Heaven on Sunday, August 21, 2016 at the Allen Hospital in Waterloo. Memorial Services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, August 24, 2016 at the Washington Prairie Lutheran Church, 1725 Washington Prairie Road, rural Decorah, with Rev. Jenny Edinger presiding. Visitation will be held from 4:00 -7:00 p.m., at the church on Tuesday evening, and also after 10:00 a.m., on Wednesday morning at the Church. Peter Lyle Estrem was born November 15, 1969 to Paul and Lois (Gipp) Estrem in Waukon Iowa. Peter attended Decorah elementary school and was an up and coming athlete, active in football and wrestling as well as a horn player with the Decorah Kilties. In November of 1982 while at a wrestling meet in West Union, Peter suffered a cardiac arrest, during which he stopped breathing for a period of time, resulting in his extensive brain damage. Peter’s first care facility was Gundersen Hospital in LaCrosse Wisconsin where he stayed for six months to recover from his coma. After he was well enough to be discharged he relocated back to the family farm until the discovery of the Ann Carlson School for disabled children in Jamestown North Dakota where he lived until 1990. Upon graduation, Peter was at an age where it was time to move to a more permanent home and it was then he was invited to Harmony House in Waterloo Iowa where he lived for 25 years. Peter’s infectious smile and laughter touched everyone who met him. Whether in Lacrosse, Jamestown or Waterloo, he was surrounded by staff which cherished every moment with him. In 1988, he was dressed in a cap and gown and escorted across the stage by his friends for his Decorah high school graduation commencement. He was also prom king at Ann Carlson! Peter was a man with many passions. He was Iowa’s biggest Hawkeye’s fan, he loved going to the races. He enjoyed fishing and always had to catch the biggest fish. He was an avid shopper and was always on the hunt for music, CD’s and movies. No morning began without Bob & Tom on the radio. He enjoyed Hockey, and watching the Minnesota Twins play. Peter was also a very sensitive man who wore his heart on his sleeve. If he noticed someone was unhappy, he wanted to know why. Peter’s survivors include his mother Lois Estrem Decorah IA, four brothers: Chris Estrem, Ketchum ID, Steve Estrem, Midland TX, Mike Estrem, Decorah IA, Jason (Leslie) Estrem, Minneapolis MN, and many Aunts, uncles and cousins. Peter was preceded in death by his father Paul on August 11, 2010, his grandparents, his uncle Gordon and his cousin Ethan.