PETERSON, David L. 1956-2010

PETERSON, STEEN, KRAMER

Posted By: County Coordinator (email)
Date: 2/10/2010 at 17:52:07

Rock Rapids, IA
David L. Peterson, age 53 of Rock Rapids, IA died suddenly Tuesday, February 2, 2010 at Sanford Hospital of Rock Rapids. Funeral services were held Saturday, Feb. 6th at United Methodist Church of Rock Rapids, with burial at Riverview Cemetery in Rock Rapids, IA.

David Lee Peterson was born June 2, 1956 in Rock Rapids, Iowa, the son of Lee and Juliene (Steen) Peterson. He was raised on the family farm north of Rock Rapids and attended Central Lyon Community Schools. During his teenage years he and his brother, Dennis helped with the farm and worked at Ehde Brothers Mink Ranch near Steen, MN. David graduated from Central Lyon High School in 1975. He worked at various places in the area, one being Barrow’s Enterprises in Rock Rapids, IA for a few years.

He married Linda J. Kramer on February 15, 1977 and to this union a daughter, Jessica was born. He also drove school bus for Central Lyon School District for several years. He began his own business, Peterson Salvage, in 1988. David had a lifelong passion for the rich history and culture of the settlers and Indian nations of the 18th and 19th century. In many areas he was an expert in the ways of the past. David avidly read and studied anything he could about the forefathers of this area and he was very proud of the Native American blood in his own heritage.

He was a member of the Iowa Company Division 4th Artillery Unit and active with the Spirit of The West Event based out of Sioux Falls, SD. At a very young age he showed interest in blacksmithing and knowledge of the old west. He enjoyed searching for and collecting artifacts on the family farm north of Rock Rapids. He also enjoyed hunting deer, fox, coyote, bear and antelope. He also trapped various places in the Rock Rapids area. He loved shooting guns from the civil war and modern eras and was a supporting member of the National Rifle Association.

Every year he would grow a large vegetable garden and had a big asparagus patch. David was especially fond of his daughter, Jessica and two grandchildren from the fresh cup of coffee his granddaughter would delight in serving him when he visited or accompanying his grandson to his Hunter Safety Course.

This past Tuesday, February 2, 2010, while hunting, David suffered a heart attack and was transported to the Sanford Hospital at Rock Rapids, where he died at the age of 53. David will be remembered as a man that enjoyed wildlife and the outdoors.

He is survived by his daughter, Jessica Kruse and fiancé Donald Trei of Rock Rapids, IA; two grandchildren, Danny and Dana Kruse of Rock Rapids, IA; mother, Juliene Peterson of Steen, MN; brother, Dennis Peterson of Steen, MN; sister, Debbie (Vincent) Plucker of Parker, SD; ex-wife, Linda Peterson of Rock Rapids, IA; fiancé, Sandra Lens of Sioux Falls, SD; niece and nephews, Sarah Menjares of Greensboro, NC, Brian Peterson of Sioux Falls, SD, Clinton Hubers of Volga, SD; and many other extended family.
He was preceded in death by his paternal and maternal grandparents; and father, Lee Peterson.

(Jurrens Funeral Homes)