Donald Peterson

Donald Peterson

1934 – 2024

HOLSTEIN - Donald Peterson, 89, of Holstein, passed away on Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024 at the Good Samaritan Society of Holstein. Funeral and Service is postponed to Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2024 at 11 a.m. at the Nicklas D. Jensen Funeral Home of Holstein with Pastor Mark Ewing officiating. A visitation will be held one hour before the service. Burial will be at the Diamond Township Cemetery in Aurelia. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be directed to the family. The Nicklas D. Jensen Funeral Home of Holstein is in charge of the arrangements.

Don was born May 11, 1934, to Ralph and Marie (O’Meara) Peterson, on the family farm outside of Galva. He graduated from Galva High School in 1952 and married Jeanette Gosch of Schaller in November 1953. To this union, four children were born; Jacqueline, Russell, Marcia and Michael. They made their home in many places over the years as Don worked for area packing houses. He also farmed and absolutely loved the land. He enjoyed watching the crops grow and always watched the noon news to see what corn and bean prices were, even after quitting farming. He retired from the USDA as a meat inspector in the 90s, but always said his favorite job was farming.

Don enjoyed a few hobbies over the years, especially reading Western and historical novels. He liked building model airplanes, gardening, Thursday afternoon coffee with his friends, playing Chess and Cribbage, as well as the occasional slot machine. Don was an avid motorcycle rider beginning in high school and enjoyed that mode of transportation for most of his life. Family was extremely important to Don, and he always worried about their health and well-being. He certainly was the life of the party, and his witty humor was intact up until the day he passed. He was loved and he will be sorely missed.

Surviving Don are his children; Jacquie Sanchez, of Holstein; Russ (Diane) Peterson of Norfolk, Nebraska; and Mike (Lori) Peterson of Cushing. Grandchildren include: Anthony Sanchez of Minatare, Nebraska, and his children, Jocyeln and Gavin Nuss and their mother, Challeni Nuss, of Scottsbluff, Nebraska; Teresa (Hemal Patel) Sanchez of Washington, DC, and their daughter, Evelyn Sanchez Patel; Andrea Sanchez (Jimmy Hunter) of Copperas Cove, Texas and her children, Maryssa and Mercedes Ramirez of Scottsbluff, Nebraska; Adam (Amber) Peterson of Norfolk, Nebraska and their children, Henry and Francis Peterson; Jenny Peterson (Jose Santillan) of Bakersfield, California; Danielle (Jason) Martin of Holstein, and their children Kyra, Vada and Jase Martin of Holstein, and Aiden (Marah Range) Martin of Fort Dodge; Noah Peterson of Correctionville; Ben (Jessica) Lau of Moville, and their children, Audrey, Autumn, Gage, Tobias, Pacen, and Charlie; and Shelbey (Chantz) Shermer of Burwell, Nebraska, and their children, Colton and Sutton Shermer, and Josey Babcock of Waterloo, Iowa; brother-in-law, Jerry (Dee) Gosch of Terril, Iowa; and sister-in-law, Kay Muller of Norwalk, Iowa; along with  numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Jeanette, after 67 years of marriage; parents, Ralph and Marie Peterson; daughter, Marcia Peterson Loucks; granddaughter, Rashell Nelson; Jeanette’s parents, Lloyd and Evelyn Gosch; siblings, Jimmy, Roger and JoAnn, many members of his O’Meara family; sister-in-law, Betty Rininger Sanders; nephews, Doug Rininger, Rick Thomas, great-nephews, Luke and Ben Wilhelm; and other extended family members.

Online condolences can be made at nicklasdjensenfh.com.

Services: Jan. 16, Nicklas D. Jensen Funeral Home, Holstein

Burial: Diamond Township Cemetery, Aurelia

Nicklas D. Jensen Funeral Home • Holstein • 712-368-4332