Richard Wayne Peterson

Richard “Rick” W. Peterson, 60 of Webster, ND died on Monday, January 21, 2008 at his home. Funeral Services for Rick will be held on Friday, January 25, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Olaf Lutheran Church, Devils Lake. Rev. Harold Ovre will officiate and burial will be in the Devils Lake Cemetery in the spring. Friends may call at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Thursday from 1:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. with a Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m.. Visitation on Friday will be at the church one hour prior to the funeral service. Honorary Bearers for Rick will be his nephews, Jim, John, Joe, Roger, Rusty and Pat Mertens and friends, Rory Riggin, Rene Ouellette, Dennis Alfstad, Pete Belgarde, Danny Erickson and Scotty Anderson. Music will be provided by JoDee Lagein, soloist and Lynda Pearson, organist Reading the Scriptures will be Kellie Cossette. Richard Wayne Peterson was born on February 9, 1947 in Devils Lake, ND the son of Hartvig N. and Irene (Adsem-Belling) Peterson. He was reared and educated in Ramsey County, attended elementary school in Webster and graduated from Devils Lake High School in the class of 1965. He attended Lake Region Junior College and received his Associates Degree in Business. Richard was united in marriage to Janet Wilcox on April 12, 1969 at St. Olaf Lutheran Church. After their marriage, they lived in several different locations before returning to Devils Lake where they lived, worked and raised their family through the years. Richard worked at the Nekoma Missile Site as a supervisor for several years until it was closed down. He and Janet then purchased Majestic Cleaners which they owned and operated for over 30 years. Most recently, Rick was employed with Dahl Trucking of Langdon. Rick was a member of St. Olaf Lutheran Church, Elks Lodge, Ducks Unlimited, the Masonic Body and was also a Shriner. Rick had many pastimes and passions. He was an avid hunter and fisherman. He enjoyed horse back riding, reading and also had a special interest in antiques. In the antique department, he had begun collecting horse drawn sleighs and buggies. He had been able to turn this hobby into a special time with the children and grandchildren as they came together for sleigh rides and buggy rides. Whenever Rick had a chance, he enjoyed having coffee with his friends and neighbors at the White House Café. The most treasured times in Rick’s life was spent with his children and grandchildren. He was so proud of all of his girls and was very involved in their lives, trying to keep up on all their activities. The grandchildren had such a special place in his heart and his family was truly his pride and joy. Rick is survived by his daughters, Jacqueline M. Peterson-Hunt and her husband, James S. Hunt of Devils Lake. Elizabeth J. Gefroh and her husband, Greg of Fargo, ND Kellie R. Cossette and her husband, Steve of Harwood, ND Grandchildren: Jesse S. Hunt, Nathan Rue, Colton Saastad, Joshua Owens, Anthony Owens, Kelsie Cossette and Christian Cossette. The mother of their daughters, Janet Peterson of Devils Lake Step-Sisters: Vangie LaBarre and her husband, Dave of Lillian, Alabama Bernice Mertens of Devils Lake Many Nieces, Nephews and their families also survive. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers-in-law, John Mertens and Jim Wilcox