Harold Dean Peterson

Harold Dean Peterson passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family, on Friday, March 18, 2022, at Holstein Senior Living in Holstein, Iowa.

 Harold was born July 8,1934, to Swedish immigrants, August and Anna (Johnson) Peterson, and raised on a farm south of Aurelia with siblings, Bertil and Betty (Ohlson), He was baptized and confirmed at Bethlehem Lutheran Church and graduated from Wilson High School in Cherokee in 1952.

 He married the love of his life, Marilee Dorr, on December 23, 1956, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church. They moved to their first home east of Aurelia and began farming and raising a family. In 1963, they purchased a farm north of Aurelia where Harold built a home and, together, they cultivated a love of farming, family, and faith. They enjoyed adventures by motorhome from coast to coast along with a trip to visit relatives in Sweden and Germany. Harold loved playing cribbage and “umph” and helping grandchildren explore the wonders of the farm from barn to creek. They cherish the memories of his cheerful whistle, singing, jitter-bugging, playful banter and him slapping his thigh with his ping pong paddle. His legacy lives on in the hearts and lives of his family.

 Harold was a member of and served in many roles at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Kiwanis, Aurelia Coop, Land O’Lakes District Board and Cherokee Board of Supervisors. He took pride as a Boy Scout leader, earning the Gloria Deo Et Patri Award. He was generous and his life was the very model of the Boy Scout law: trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent. He tirelessly recruited and worked alongside many volunteers for Lutheran Lakeside Camp. As an Augustana Board of Regent member, he built a treasured rapport with students staying in the dorms and playing ping pong. He and Marilee enjoyed card club with friends for many years.

 Survivors include his wife of 66 years, Marilee; daughters, Melanie (Kenny) Petersen of Correctionville, IA; Kris (Dan) Anderson of Norfolk, NE; Katie (Todd) Burkholder of Plymouth, MN; and Lissa (Dan) Kahl of Humboldt, IA; grandchildren, Leah (Dan) Neimeier of Aurelia; Latrisha (Keenan) Deutsch of Edina, MN; Drew (Shana) Wieland of Aurelia; Nick (Sharee) Petersen of Lincoln; Dustin (Jessica) Wieland of Aurelia; Meagan (Caleb) Priebe of Norfolk; Molly (Efrain) Plasencia of Omaha; Micaela (Heath) of Indianola, IA; Justin Burkholder, of Minneapolis, MN; Colin (Madeline) Burkholder of St. Paul, MN; Isaiah Kahl and Jordan Kahl of Humboldt, IA; great-grandchildren, Aiden & Aftyn Placencia, Gavin, Grace and Anna Niemeier, Elyn and Ezra Priebe, Reese, Evie and Delta Wieland, Akaia, Mikko and Anara Deutsch, Benjamin and Brady Wieland and Jade Petersen; sister, Betty Ohlson, many cousins in Sweden, and many nieces and nephews.

 He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Marion, and brother, Bertil.

 Interment will be at Good Hope Cemetery following lunch in rural Aurelia.

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