Peterson, Lester Alvin 1946 - 2023
PETERSON, TANGEN, SEARS, COOK, ROBERG, NESHEIM, MOEN, SHELDON, PATINO
Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 9/8/2023 at 10:34:42
U.S. Veteran
Lester Peterson of Decorah, Iowa passed away on Wednesday, September 6, 2023, at WinnMed Hospital in Decorah.
Funeral Services will be at 11:00 a.m., Monday, September 11, 2023, at the First Lutheran Church, 604 W Broadway St. in Decorah with Rev. David Severtson presiding. Burial will be in the Lutheran Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 10, 2023, at the Helms Funeral Home, 306 East Water St. in Decorah and also after 10:00 a.m. at the church on Monday morning.
Lester “Les” Alvin Peterson, age 77, of Decorah, IA, died peacefully at the Decorah Hospital surrounded by loved ones on Wednesday, September 6, 2023, after a long battle with kidney disease due to complications from diabetes.
Lester Alvin Peterson was born on April 19, 1946, the son of Selmer A. and Stella (Tangen) Peterson in Decorah, Iowa. He attended a country school throughout elementary and middle school, and he graduated from Decorah High School in 1964. After graduation, Lester married the love of his life, Evelyn "Evie" Sears, on July 6, 1968, in Decorah, IA. From this union, three children were born: Denise, Dawn, and Darin. They celebrated their 55th year of marriage on July 6, 2023.
Lester served in the US Army for two years. He was a part of the 359th Infantry. Lester spent one year in the States as a private, then was deployed in the Vietnam War where he earned an E5 (Sergeant) status. The 359th Infantry was in charge of transporting oil to military vehicles. Lester was a company clerk in charge of placing and keeping track of all the soldiers' activities. After serving in Vietnam, Lester returned to work at Deco Products as a foreman. It was said that he was a hard worker and enjoyed the individuals he worked with. After working at Deco Products for 45 years, Lester retired at the age of 63.
Lester was a caring, compassionate, and loving person who enjoyed fishing, boating, and football. He loved watching football, and his favorite teams were the Decorah Vikings, Hawkeyes, Cyclones, and Packers. He even attended a few Hawkeye games with his family. In addition, Lester loved Nordic Fest and watching his grandson (Michael Cook) dance as a Nordic Dancer. The most important thing to Lester was his family. While his children (Denise Cook, Dawn Patino, and Darin Peterson) were growing up, he loved taking them camping and pulling them behind the boat on tubes or skis. Once his grandchildren (Michael Cook, Conner Cook, Jordyn Roberg, Madelyn Peterson, and Brantley Peterson) were born, they became his entire world. Lester would never dream of missing his grandchildren's events, no matter how big or small.
Lester is survived by his wife, Evelyn (Sears) Peterson; his two children, Denise (Rick) Cook and Darin (Danielle) Peterson both of Decorah, IA; five grandchildren: Michael Cook of Cedar Falls, IA, Conner Cook of Decorah IA, Jordyn Roberg (step-grandchild) of Decorah, IA, Madelyn Peterson of Decorah, IA and Brantley Peterson of Decorah, IA; his two sisters: Grace (Walter) Neshiem of Decorah, IA and Arla (Don) Idhe of Decorah, IA; sister-in-law: Linda (Norman Jr.) Moen of Decorah, IA; and many nieces and nephews.
Lester was preceded in death by his grandparents; his parents, Stella and Slemer Peterson of Decorah, IA; two brothers, Jim Peterson and Curt Peterson of Decorah, IA; one sister, Ruthie (Peterson) Sheldon of Stewartville, MN; and his daughter, Dawn (Peterson) Patino of Fort Worth, TX.
A special thank you to Toni Meyer for all the kind, loving care she gave to Lester. He so cherished the time. Toni was like another member of his family.
Source: Helms Funeral Home database
Lutheran Decorah Cemetery
Winneshiek Obituaries maintained by Jeff Getchell.
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