Peter, Arnold Milton "Arnie" 1929 - 2021

PETER, LIBBEY, EATON, WHALEN

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 8/6/2021 at 12:37:35

Arnold Milton (Arnie) Peter of Cresco died on August 2, 2021 after a two week stay at Evans Home in Cresco. He was 92 years old.

Arnie was born on June 6, 1929, at his parents home in Winneshiek County, Iowa. He was the youngest child of Alfred Peter and Alice Elta (Libbey) Peter. He attended Orleans country school to the 8th grade while farming with his dad; he proudly completed his GED in 1969. In 1950 as a young adult he contracted polio and spent many months in St. Mary’s Hospital In Rochester recovering first from the virus and then rehabilitation to regain his mobility and strength. He worked hard and was able to live his life with few lasting effects.

On September 19, 1954 he was united in marriage to Gwen Eaton (daughter of Lyle and Iowa Eaton) at the Methodist Church in Cresco. They lived in Cresco for 3 years while he worked at the Tin Shop. In 1958, Arnie and Gwen returned to farming east of Cresco where there were always cows, pigs and chickens plus corn, beans, and oats plus hay to bale. Lots of hay to bale. He was a patient teacher and wasn’t afraid to let his kids learn responsibility and trusted them to perform all kinds of tasks and chores. He continued to farm until they moved back to Cresco in 1985. He was a hard worker and in addition to farming he also worked at the Donaldson plant for a time and drove a school bus for How-Winn. After they moved to town, he worked at Grosz Hardware, Ace Hardware, Lindstrom Funeral Home and was the Cresco Bank and Trust custodian until he retired at 82. He was very handy and could build and fix almost anything. He loved woodworking and he and Gwen lovingly built 3 grandfather clocks - one for each of his 3 grandsons. He was also an active member of the United Methodist Church, singing in the choir, participating in the men’s group and serving on many boards.

Arnie is survived by Gwen, his wife of nearly 67 years, daughter Sherry (Alan) Whalen of Kasson MN, and son Steven of Cresco. Three grandsons Jeffrey (Mary) Whalen of Inver Grove Heights MN, Michael (Bianca) Whalen of Kasson MN, and Thomas (Allison) Whalen of Kasson MN, and 8 great grandchildren Cooper and Audrey Whalen; Rainn, Isaiah, and Ryleigh Whalen; Joseph, Benjamin and Phillip Whalen, plus many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents Alfred and Elta Peter, four sisters - Helen, Lucille, Marjory and Ione, and two brothers - Elmer and Roger.

The family would like to thank the Evans Home and Howard County Community Hospice group for their loving care, support, and help during his journey. Per his wishes, a private graveside service will be held, with a visitation at Lindstrom Funeral home in Cresco on Friday August 6, 2021 from 4 to 7 pm.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to HOCA or Howard County Community Hospice in his name.

Source: Lindstrom Funeral Home database