Obituary of Dr. Donald G. Peterson

Dr. Donald Gordon Peterson, 91, of Oxlip passed away on Monday, February 22, 2016 at his home. He was born on March 2, 1924 in Minneapolis, MN to Russell and Naomi (Jernell) Peterson. Don grew up in Minneapolis but he spent his summers working on his grandparents’ farm in Oxlip. At the age of 17 Don spent nearly a year in the hospital after being diagnosed with polio. He graduated from Edison High School in 1943. Don attended the University of Minnesota and earned a Bachelor of Science Degree with a major in natural science and a minor in zoology in 1946. He continued at the U of MN to earn a Master of Arts degree with a major in secondary school administration and a minor in zoology in 1949. He went on to teach science at Temple University and also served as Director of the Evening School of the Community College and Technical Institute of Temple University. Don spent two summers at Eckels College of Mortuary Science in Philadelphia as a guest lecturer. In 1965 he began teaching at St. Cloud State University and also continued his studies at the U of MN to earn his doctorate in 1968. He retired from St. Cloud State in 1993. On December 26, 1964 he married Melva Peterson at Zion Lutheran Church of Crown. Don and Melva had a son Jim and Melva had five children with her first husband Clements Peterson. Don enjoyed reading, politics, history, keeping up with current events. He was always learning things to educate himself as well as teaching others. He loved to learn about family ancestry and local history. Don was a longtime member of Zion Lutheran Church of Crown, a member of the Cambridge-Isanti School Board, and Cambridge Memorial Hospital Board. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Melva in January 2014, sons Tommy and Terry Peterson, brother Gordon W. Peterson and sister-in-law Betty Peterson. Don is survived by his children Marnie (Lynn) Guthrie of North Branch, Lori (Terry) Daudt of Longville, Cathy (Ken) Drilling of Isanti, Jim (Karen) Peterson of Oxlip, daughters-in-law Allison Adkins of Longville, Judy Peterson of Milbank, SD, 15 grandchildren, 34 great grandchildren, 10 great great grandchildren, brother R. Dale Peterson of Oxlip, sister-in-law Marilyn Peterson of Maple Lake, as well as many nieces, nephews other relatives and friends.