Martin Richard “Pete” Peterson, 80, of Keokuk, died at 12:50 AM, Monday, November 2, 2009, at his home.
Mr. Peterson was born June 3, 1929, in Keokuk, Iowa, the son of Martin Phillip and Virginia M. Stanton Peterson. He married Betty Downs on February 16, 1951 in Keokuk, Iowa at the First Lutheran Church. She survives.
Pete was a lifelong resident of Keokuk, Iowa. He was co-owner/operator of Peterson Auto Supply and Donnellson Auto Supply in Donnellson, Iowa, for sixteen years. Prior to owning his own store, he worked for Webb Auto Supply for twenty-three years. He served in the National Guard from 1948 to 1957 and was discharged as Sergeant First Class. He was a member of the Keokuk Lodge B.P.O. Elks #106. He was one of the original founders of City of Christmas. He received the Sprit of Keokuk Award in 1995 and was the grand marshal of Puck-E-She-Tuck Parade. He loved playing golf and drinking coffee and visiting with his friends at Hy-Vee.
He is survived by his wife, Betty Peterson of Keokuk, Iowa; two daughters, Dawn Peterson of Montrose, Iowa; Kathleen Geren of Burlington, Iowa; two grandchildren, Kara (Michael) Kirk; Brandon (Kathy Jo) Burrus; five great grandchildren, Quinlan and Lachlan Kirk; Jayden, Austin and Logan Burrus; one brother, Rev. Robert (Sandra) Peterson of Joliet, Illinois; special cousin, Amanda (Joey) Morris and their children, Preston, Ellen and Josh; six nieces and three nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his mother-in-law, Irene Downs.
Funeral services were at 1:00 PM Thursday, November 5, 2009, at DeJong’s Funeral Home with Brother Bill Hauser officiating. Burial followed at Oakland Cemetery in Keokuk, Iowa.
Memorials may be to St. Jude’s Children’s’ Hospital.
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