Palmer Peterson

Palmer Peterson, 98 of Viborg, passed away on August 18, 2023 at the Sanford USD Medical Center. Funeral Service will be at 2:00 PM Friday, August 25, 2023 at Bethel Christian Fellowship Church (formally the United Methodist Church), Viborg. Visitation will begin at 12:30 PM at the church. Burial with Military Rites will follow at the Rosehill Cemetery, Viborg. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Daneville Museum of Viborg, Rose Hill Cemetery of Viborg or the American Legion Arrangements provided by Hofmeister-Jones Funeral Home.

Palmer Eugene Peterson was born March 17, 1925, to Arthur and Marie Peterson in Viborg, SD. Palmer passed away August 18,2023, at Sanford Hospital, Sioux Falls SD .

Palmer was married to Marjorie Kienast Peterson on March 17, 1949.  Marj passed away July 29, 2018.  To this union were born 4 daughters, known as the 4 Bs, Brenda, Betty, Becky and Bernice.

Palmer and Marj farmed west of Viborg and lived there until 2000.  He was a life long member of the United Methodist Church in Viborg and very active in its various ministries, such as, ushering, Sunday School, youth group counselor, and many more.  Palmer was active in the VFW holding several offices within it and in charge of the Voice of Democracy. He was part of the Color Guard at parades and other events for over 50 years. Palmer loved working the land and he knew it was the Lord’s and he was a steward of it.  Proverbs, Psalms and other scriptures describe what a good steward of the land does and how to take care of all creation of which he was given charge.  He was the president of the National Farmers Organization because he loved farming and wanted to make it productive.  Palmer was a very giving man and would help anyone in need.  He was also a dreamer.  The Danish Heritage Museum came from his dream to share with others the heritage of the community. He also tried to bring history alive for students at Viborg school with exhibits and murals at the school.  He loved his family and made sure they went on a vacation every summer and experience much of the United States and different events and entertainment.

Palmer dealt with personal and physical tragedies and worked at rising above them each time.  He witnessed the destruction of their entire farm from a tornado, and then experienced the farm being taken away again in the Farm Crisis. He experienced paralysis and walked again even though it was thought he wouldn’t.  He succumbed to the wheel chair in his last few years, but still remained at home with the care giving help of his daughter, Brenda.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, brothers J. Merle and Herb Peterson and sisters-in-law Alphie Peterson and Margaret Peterson and brothers-in-law Lee Nelson and Elwood Paulsen and Grandson Nicholas Peterson.   He is survived by his daughters Brenda Jensen, Betty (Mark) Mayer, Becky (Jim) Zirpel, and Bernice Peterson and a sister Gladys Paulsen.  He also enjoyed his 5 grandchildren, Rachel(Erik) Turner, Rebecca (Don) Parish, Aaron (Rachel) Mayer, Alison(Lucas) Waltz, and Joshua (Alyssa) Peterson; and great grandchildren Sean, Ryan, and Avery Turner, and Michael, Jaiden and Kylee Parish and Lydia and Lauren Waltz.  Palmer is also survived by many nieces and nephews, and friends.