Ron Peterson of Rapid City, formerly of Dell Rapids, passed away on Friday, March 17, 2017. His funeral service will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, March 22, 2017 in the Lutheran Church of Dell Rapids. Visitation will begin at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 21, 2017 with the family present from 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. at Kahler Funeral Home.

Ronald Lee Peterson was born in Sioux Falls, SD on March 25, 1935, to Joseph Iver Peterson and Bessie Mabel Flamoe. He was raised on the family farm north of Renner and was baptized and confirmed at the Renner Lutheran Church. Ron went to elementary school at the Berg Country School and then attended high school in Brandon, SD. He was active in 4-H, basketball, track, band, choir, and was a member of the first 6-man football team in Brandon.  Ron played legion baseball in high school and then for the Renner Monarchs.  He was invited to join the Milwaukee Braves farm team in the summer of 1953. Upon graduation from high school, he attended Augustana College in Sioux Falls.

Ron married his high school sweetheart Dorothy Rovang on May 16, 1953, and they made their first home in Sioux Falls, SD. They then moved to Renner and eventually north of Renner to a small home on the family farm.  Ron began selling insurance which he continued for many years. In 1964, Ron and Dorothy moved their family to Dell Rapids where they lived for 26 years.  While Ron loved his home community of Renner, he began to place strong roots in the community of Dell Rapids as a member and long-time Sunday school teacher at the Lutheran Church of Dell Rapids and serving the city devotedly as a council member and mayor.  He was a number-one fan of the Quarriers and followed his own children and grandchildren as they participated on many Quarrier teams. He always wanted to know the results of the latest Quarrier events.

Ron had many God-given talents, but one of his favorites was sitting at the piano accompanying a sing-a-long, performing for commemorative events or providing the music at hundreds of funerals.  Ron sang as a member of the Minnehaha Mandskor for several years.
In 1990 Ron and Dorothy moved from Dell Rapids to Rapid City where they enjoyed the Black Hills for several years.  Ron worked for the United States forest service for five years before he retired. They continued forming important friendships on the Rosebud Reservation and loved to have their children and grandchildren filling their mountain home with much singing, laughter, and  spirited conversations.

Ron filled his life with many joys.  He was a devoted Christian, husband, father and grandfather leaving a legacy to his children and grandchildren of the assurance of a heavenly home.  He always said, “Death comes as a friend to the believer,” and he spent his last hours praising his Father and singing favorite hymns.  He even sang “How Great Thou Art” to the ambulance crew who drove him up the mountain to spend his last day in one of his favorite places: home.

Thankful for having shared his life are his wife, Dorothy, and their 5 children: Shirlene Joseph of Deadwood, Bradley Peterson (XinHua) of New York City, Bryan Peterson of Renner, Sharon (David) Mitchell of Dell Rapids, Sarah Peterson of Rapid City, 11 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren.  Ron was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Charles Peterson.

Ron was a true patriot. He loved his country and the state of South Dakota. One of his favorite things was to travel the roads and look out on the countryside.  He loved to help his son and best friend, Bryan, with the work on the family farm.  His eldest son, Brad and wife Xin Hua generously shared their support and encouragement  to the family throughout the years.  Ron also entertained his family and friends with historical stories and words of wisdom.

Whether you were traveling near or far, Ron always said goodbye with the words, “The Lord be With You!”

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