Richard Wayne Peterson

RICHARD WAYNE PETERSON was born to Kenneth A. & Gyda G. (Hovland) Peterson on February 27, 1936 in Fertile IA. He was baptized at Fertile Lutheran and attended First Grade in Fertile, before the family moved to Chicago, where his Dad worked for the U.S. Postal Service. From there they moved to Lake Mills IA. He was confirmed at Synod Lutheran. While attending school, he played football, basketball, and track graduating in 1954. He was awarded a football scholarship to Luther College in Decorah, IA his freshman year. He then transferred to Mankato State his sophomore year, before enlisting in the U.S. Army January 16, 1957. He took his basic training at Fort Bliss in El Paso, TX and Special Services training at Fort Chaffee in Fort Smith, AR before being sent to Japan for eighteen months, where among various special duties he played on the Army football and volleyball teams. His football team won the Far East Championship in 1958. He returned home December 24, 1958. Four years in the Army Reserve completed his military obligation. He was proud to have served in the U.S. Military, as his Dad had before him served in the Navy when Richard was a young boy. He married his high school sweetheart, Doris Dakken on December 11, 1957 in Tokyo, Japan. To that union four children were born: Lori (Archie Benike) Scott (Dolly) Susan (Greg Spellacy) and Thomas. After his active military duty he worked as Director of Personnel and Buyer of men's and boy's clothing, as well as music at Brett's Department Store in Mankato MN while continuing his higher education and playing football at Mankato State. He graduated in 1968. He taught high school marketing and sales classes in Albert Lea, MN, before returning to a retail management position at Woolworth in Mankato for fourteen years. During his years in retail management he curled on a local MN team. He was later hired as a Test Administrator for the Office of Government Personnel and retired from that position in 2005. On December 6, 1997, Richard and Zelda (Skogerboe) Suby married in an intimate wedding ceremony at Zion Lutheran Church in Clear Lake, IA. They both delighted in having their blended family of children & grandchildren attend them. They made their home in Rochester, MN for eight years; were members of Bethel Lutheran, and enjoyed walking the wooded trail along the Zumbro River near their home. They often visited the mighty Mississippi River forty minutes away. In 2001 they took Amtrak from Winona MN to Chicago and New York City, on their way to crossing the Atlantic Ocean to South Hampton England on the magnificent QE2. They were thrilled to tour London, Paris, Scotland and Norway, where they were privileged to meet Norwegian relatives for the first time. They crossed the ocean again inroute home on the QE2, met more friends from around the world. They gloried at sight of the Statue of Liberty in the harbor welcoming them back home. Another dream became reality when they moved to Sun City Grand retirement community in Surprise, AZ in 2005. They were members of American Lutheran in Sun City. Richard was a friendly, appreciative and kind man with a witty sense of humor. He was passionate about playing football and curling. He enjoyed watching most sports and was an avid Minnesota Vikings fan. He spent mega hours reading Sports Illustrated cover to cover, and frequently named special players, coaches and their accomplishments from years back to the present. He liked writing poetry and often included an original hand-written poem in letters and greeting cards to loved ones. He was proud of his large blended family, which included; children and grandchildren (who called him "Bapa") Also step children and step grandchildren, and ten great grandchildren. He appreciated good music and liked to dance. His faith was deep and personal, and in later years he became a faithful prayer warrior. His health began to fail in 2011 and continued to decline. He and Zelda moved back to Rochester MN in July 2018 to be closer to family and the Mayo Clinic. He benefitted greatly from the at home care of his Palliative Care Team, and Nurse Practitioner Brenda Danielson. Then in early Spring 2022, his declining health led us to begin receiving home care from Season's Hospice, with Nurse Practitioner Daniela, Amy Jo, Lydia, Arthur and other warm caring individuals. A highlight of his Hospice home care was being honored on Saturday March 12th for his past Military Service in the U.S. Army. Fourteen family members were present for the ceremony, which brought Richard much pleasure. When his continuing decline in health necessitated 24-hour care, he moved to Season's Hospice Home on Saturday March 19th. He was cared for in the lovely home setting by remarkably skilled and caring staff of Earth Angels. Family and friends came to visit him daily, as did Zelda. She was grateful for the privilege of being with him when he was called to his Home in Heaven at 11:12 PM on Tuesday, April 5, 2022. He is survived by his wife Zelda, Children; Lori (Archie) Peterson Benike, Scott (Dolly) Peterson, Susan (Greg) Spellacy, Thomas Peterson, his children's mother Doris. Grandchildren; Joe (Lauren) & Ethan Benike, Aaron & Joshua Spellacy, Zander, Riley & Julian Peterson. Also surviving are his Step Children; Julie (Roger) Bisbey, Sallie (Tom) Suby-Long, Robb Suby; Step Grandchildren; Jessica (Justin) Peterson, Erica Bisbey, Scott (Cindy) Bisbey, Rachel (Jake) Compaan, Sarah (Keah) Kalantari & Rebecca Suby-Long;.As well as Ten Great Grandchildren. Richard was preceded in death by his grandparents, parents, and Step Grandson Paul Bisbey. A private Family Memorial Service is planned for a later date.