Donald Peterson

Donald Norman Peterson, 79, West Fargo, North Dakota, died Saturday, July 22, 2017 at Sanford Hospital in Fargo, North Dakota.

Don was the eighth child born to Carl and Christine Peterson on a farm near Nome, North Dakota on May 16, 1938. He attended a one room school about a mile from the farm until 1949 when the family moved to Nome. He graduated from Nome High School in a class of thirteen in 1956. He was active in all sports that the school and town offered including basketball, track, and baseball. He married Doris Odden, the girl next door, June 14th, 1958.

He began his career with the J I Case Company in 1956 in the parts department in Fargo. In the late sixties he moved his wife and three children to Cottage Grove, Minnesota, and worked out of the Minneapolis Branch. He worked in the parts and credit departments and as district manager. The family moved to Minot, North Dakota, where he served as Territory Manager. 1973 we were back to West Fargo and remained there until the time of his death. He worked for Case Power and Equipment (CI Farm Power) selling farm equipment, making friends along the way with his customers. The early positions required him to be a road man but he always tried to touch base with the family daily. The retail part of his career he was able to be home nightly. He retired in 2000. He was a tour guide at the CNH tractor plant in Fargo until April, 2017. He was a people person so enjoyed the connection with those who came for the tour.

Many wonderful memories were made over the years including trip to Hawaii, Las Vegas, and Scottsdale, Disney in Florida with family, and Odden reunions in rotation since 1978 taking the family to Washington, Colorado, Minnesota, and North Dakota. He also attended the summer Olympics in Los Angeles in 1984.

He had an interest in West Fargo Packer sports early on. He was a season ticket holder for NDSU football but began going to games at old Dakota Field when you dressed warm and prepared for the elements. In his mid 30’s he took up golf. Many golf outings were enjoyed with family and friends. He planned golf tours at new and old golf courses and last played in Arizona in February. He played for the fun of it and tried to meet or beat the score he had the time before. He has three grandsons who were the light of his life. He kept his daily calendar updated with every activity they had from T-ball thru band concerts and school programs. This would include movies and doing lunch to let them share their stories. They are grown now but he was very proud of them and let them know.

He is survived by wife Doris, daughter Lori and son-in-law Steven Martel, Green Valley, AZ, son Steven, grandson Brett (Courtney Schmidt and Kensley) and great granddaughter Devyn Lee Martel, grandson Jared (Samantha) Martel, all of Fargo, grandson Travis Martel, Tucson, AZ. Sisters Helen Lemna, Olga Pinke, Jean Ussatis (Jerome), Sharon (Jacob) Bierley, brothers Ronald (Cleo) and Marvin.

He was preceded in death by son, Paul, in 2013, parents Carl and Christine , brothers Orvis, Walter, James, and Merlin Peterson, sisters Clarice Peterson, and Alice Monson.

Memorials may be given in his name to the Roger Maris Cancer Center or the charity of your choice.  What his family will always remember is the way he laughed, the stories he told, the guidance he gave...What we will always know is his caring ways, the sacrifices he made, the man he was… What we will always feel is his love...We miss you.

Visitation: 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, July 28, 2017 followed by a 7 p.m. Prayer Service at the West Funeral Home, West Fargo.

Memorial Service: 11 a.m. Saturday at Faith Lutheran Church, West Fargo.

Burial: Sunset Memorial Gardens, Fargo.