Francis "Pete" August Peterson

Having lived a long, friendly, and giving life, Francis “Pete” August Peterson passed away June 10, 2019 at Trinity Center at Luther Park in Des Moines.

Born May 12, 1932 in Daggett, Michigan to Earl and Mary Peterson, Pete graduated from Michigan State University in 1954 with a degree in Agricultural Engineering. He served in the Air Force and subsequently the Iowa Air Guard before being honorably discharged as a Captain in 1964.

On September 15, 1956 Pete married Marva Lou Doughty, his wife of 62 years, in Houston, TX. He had a long career in engineering, working for John Deere in Ankeny, Badger Northland in Wisconsin, Hinson in Waterloo, and ultimately retiring from Case-IH in Clarendon Hills, IL in 1997.

Pete and Marva settled for many years on an acreage in rural Parkersburg, IA, where they raised their four boys and enjoyed attending their sporting events and other activities. This is also where they returned after his retirement. He enjoyed tending their large vegetable garden, spending time on the farm, planting trees, raising bees, walking his dogs, remodeling the house, playing cards, and adding more fuel to the burn pile! He especially enjoyed when his children and grandchildren would return for Christmas and for his annual Fourth of July family barbecue to eat brats and sweet corn and set off illegal fireworks.

Pete had a kind heart, a gentle soul, and a bad singing voice, which he was not afraid to use. He lived in the moment, a strong work ethic, and a witty sense of humor, all of which he passed on to his boys.

He is survived by his wife, Marva, his sons, Jim of Shawnee, KS, Scott (Susan) of Rogers, MN, David (Patty) of Avondale, PA, and Kerry (Jennifer) of Des Moines, and his grandchildren, Alex (Lauren), Zachary, Kaycee, Caitlin, and Augie.

He was preceded in death by his father, Earl, his mother, Mary, his sister, Jeanne Bastien, his brother-in-law, James Bastien, and his sister, Luella.

The family will be holding a celebration of life later in the summer. His ashes will be interred at Iowa Veteran’s Cemetery in Van Meter, IA and scattered back home in northern Michigan. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in his name to the V Foundation for Cancer Research at V.org..

Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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