Gary A. Peterson

Gary A. Peterson, 81, Rosholt, passed away Sunday, September 27, 2020, in his daughter's home at Lake Traverse.

Funeral services will be Thursday, October 1, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Joseph Lutheran Church in rural Rosholt with Rev. Sheila Pohl and Rev. Jim Shroll officiating. Music will be provided by organist Lana Sand and vocalists Vanessa Ryberg, Rylie Huff, Pam and Swede Anderson and Lana and Paul Sand. The family requests family and friends wear Western or Patriotic attire. Masks are recommended.

The funeral will be livestreamed on the Eggers Funeral Home Facebook page.

Burial will be in the St. Joseph Lutheran Cemetery, rural Rosholt. Military honors will be provided by the Leo American Legion Post 48 of Rosholt and the Read-Veflin American Legion Post 180 of New Effington. Kyah Thomas will play "Taps."

Honorary pallbearers will be Loran and Orla Maahs, Norman Carlson, Jr. Widhalm, Eddie Madsen, Herb Heesch, Alice and Wayne Kenyon, Danny Akerson, David Braun, Ron Lick, and the Doug and Randy Henze families. Active pallbearers will be Steve, Rick, Loran and Ron Heesch, Darin Peterson, and Lorraine Dickerman.

Visitation will be Wednesday from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. at the Eggers Funeral Home in Rosholt and will continue Thursday morning one hour prior to the service at the church.

Gary Allen Peterson was born December 30, 1938, in Wheaton, MN, the third child of Marvin and Mary (Holm) Peterson. He attended country school in Harmon Township and graduated from the Morris Ag School in March 1956. On June 12, 1956, at the age of 17, Gary entered the U.S. Navy. After fulfilling his four-year tour, he returned home to farm with his dad and brother Dale.

On December 28, 1963, Gary was united in marriage to Patricia Reynolds. They raised three children, Pam, Doug, and Mike on the family farm.

Along with his farming, in 1966, he attended NDSCS in Wahpeton, ND. He graduated with a degree in Diesel Mechanics in 1968 and owned and operated Gary's Garage until 1989. He then started his own trucking company "Happy B" Trucking until retiring in 1996.

Gary loved trips to Mexico and wintering in Texas. While in Texas, he met a very special lady, Marilyn Ralf. They enjoyed dancing and concerts put on by the Senior Ambassadors, which Gary was a member for ten years.

Gary also enjoyed trail rides, especially when his beloved stallion "Rocket" was carrying him across the prairie! Flying was another love of his life. Just recently he was overheard telling an acquaintance that "I didn't raise my kids, they raised me!"

Gary is survived by his friend, Marilyn; daughter, Pam (Tom) Renelt; sons, Doug Peterson and Mike (Deb) Peterson all of Rosholt; six grandchildren, Shane (Lacie) Thomas, Jamie and Alex Peterson, Vanessa (Ethan) Ryberg, and Jaelyn and Jaslyn Peterson; two great-grandchildren, Kyah and Ashton Thomas; brother, Dale (Donna) Peterson of Rosholt; and sisters, Marlys (Herb) Heesch of Rosholt and JoAnn Pastorius of New Effington; and a very special furry friend, Andy.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents; a baby brother Peterson; daughter-in-law, Michelle Peterson; sister, Delores and Dale Dinger; brother-in-law, Wayne Pastorius; nephew, Rodger Pistorius; and many uncles and aunts.