Harold A. Peterson

Harold A. Peterson, 87 of Viborg died Wednesday, December 6, 2017 at the Pioneer Memorial Nursing Home. Funeral services will be at 2:00pm Saturday, December 9, 2017 at Spring Valley Lutheran Church, rural Viborg with burial with military honors at the Meldal Cemetery. Visitation will begin at noon Saturday at the church. Arrangements by Hofmeister Jones Funeral Home. Harold Alton Peterson was born on September 24, 1930 at a farm house west of Viborg, SD to Adolph and Ida (Lee) Peterson. He was raised and went to country schools in Yankton County before graduating from Viborg High School in 1948. During his childhood he survived the mumps four times and twice with scarlet fever. After entering the US Army in February of 1952 he served in Korea until January of 1954. After his discharge from the service he attended the University of South Dakota, graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in 1960. On June 23, 1957 he was united in marriage to Joyce Darlene Fristad at Mitchell, SD. He taught school for 10 years, attended South Dakota State University for graduate school and completed his Masters Degree in 1969, then taught at various schools again until 1976. After moving to Viborg, he was self employed with his lawn mowing and painting business until his retirement in 2003. Harold loved beautiful scenery, including dogs and horses, enjoyed telling and listening to stories, playing cribbage and learning. He developed a strong appreciation for the Fristad family, having this year celebrating 60 years of marriage to Joyce. He was a member of Spring Valley Lutheran Church, the American Legion, and the VFW. Grateful for having shared his life are his wife Joyce; 3 sons, Brian (Tracy Straka) Peterson, Totowa, NJ, Drew Peterson, Hurley, SD, and Timothy (Sharon) Peterson, Mascoutah, IL; 9 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren; and a sister in law, MaryAnn Peterson, Vermillion, SD. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Mervil Peterson.