Melvin Roger Peterson (1944-2017)

PETERSON, BERGMAN, MUZZEY, KASTENDICK

Posted By: Mark Christian
Date: 3/4/2017 at 10:39:09

From Stevens Memorial Chapel obituary, Ames, Story County, Iowa:

Melvin Roger Peterson was born July 16, 1944 in Fort Dodge, Iowa, the fourth child of John Wesley Immanuel and Francis May Victoria (Bergman). His grandparents emigrated from Sweden and settled as farmers in the Midwest. Wesley and Francis farmed near Burnside, Iowa. This century farm is still in Peterson family.

When Roger was 9 years old, he heard a Back to the Bible broadcast aired by evangelist Theodore H. Epp. He accepted Jesus into his heart while he was cleaning the living room, then told his parents when they came in from chores.

As a young man, Roger loved music and was active in his school's choir and musical performances at Burnside High School, where he graduated in 1962. After graduation he desired to leave the farm and pursue religious studies at Faith Baptist Bible College in Omaha. That year he was diagnosed with Chrohn's disease. He moved back home several times to rest and regain his strength. While in Omaha he met Shirley May Muzzey. They married on August 18th, 1967 and lived on the farm for two years. Eventually he re-enrolled at Faith Baptist Bible College, which had moved its campus from Omaha to Ankeny. He graduated with a BA degree in Biblical studies.

Roger was a hard worker. As a full time student at Faith in Ankeny, he also worked full time at Anderson Erickson Dairy in Des Moines. Their three children were born during this time: Marc in 1969 and Kevin and Kelly (twins) in 1972.

In 1973, the family moved to Dallas, Texas, where Roger enrolled at Dallas Theological Seminary and earned an MA in Theology. In 1978 they moved back to Iowa for his first position as a pastor and counselor at Ontario Bible Church in Ames. He left the pastoral ministry in 1987, eventually pursuing a career in nursing. He worked as an RN and psychiatric nurse for 20 years, retiring in 2009.

Roger will be remembered for his aptitude to help others, seen through his many relationships, and his skills as a counselor and nurse. He was a loving husband and father and a lifelong student of the Word of God. He loved to work outdoors, play in church softball league, and continued to play the piano and sing late into his life. He was an avid Chicago Cubs fan and enjoyed attending his grandchildren's events and activities.

Roger died on February 20th, 2017 while recovering from a surgery performed to help him manage the symptoms of Parkinson's Disease. He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Shirley; two sons, Marc (Jenn) Peterson, and Kevin (Kerri) Peterson, both of Ames, and a daughter Kelly (Kent) Kastendick, of Grinnell. His six grandchildren include Jacob, Aleah, Jenae, Tara, Carter and Dawson.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother (Don); and one granddaughter (Joelle).

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