Roger Dean Peterson, Sr., 84

Roger Dean Peterson, Sr., 84, of Madrid passed away at Mercy One Hospice House in Johnston, Iowa on December 13, 2021 after a long illness with Parkinson’s Disease and Cancer. Roger was born in Perry, Iowa on January 31, 1937 to Reuben and Mabel (Davisson) Peterson. He grew up with his parents and two brothers on an acreage east of Luther. He graduated from Luther High School in 1955 and also attended Iowa State University for one year. Roger had a 47-year career at John Deere Des Moines Works, retiring in 2003. As did his two brothers, he had a life-long passion for old cars and attending auto races. Many summer vacations were spent at auto museums and racetracks around the country. His pride and joy in earlier years was his 1959 Ford Retractable, which he drove in many Madrid Labor Day parades. He had been a long-time member of the International Ford Retractable Club and the Tall Corn Antique Auto Club. He served as an officer of the Luther Alumni Association for many years and was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church. He was a great supporter of the Iowa State Fair and The Blue-Ribbon Foundation and never missed a fair until he developed health issues. He retired this past year as a board member of the Madrid Historical Society, a position he loved. Roger was proud to be a direct Mayflower descendant and was a member of the General Society of Mayflower Descendants and the Iowa Mayflower Society.



Roger was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Byron and Richard, and youngest son David. He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Jan; son, Roger Jr. (Kris) Peterson of Madrid; and daughters Deborah (Lowell) Hurley of Boone; Laurie Brown of Peoria, AZ; and Noelle (Rick) Purdy of Collins; twelve grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren.



Roger was such a kind, gentle, and caring man and his presence is going to be greatly missed by his family and all who knew him.



Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Sundberg-Kirkpatrick Funeral Home on Thursday, December 16. Funeral services will be held at St. John’s Lutheran church on Friday, December 17, at 11:00 a.m.



The family requests that any memorial contributions be made to either the Madrid Historical Society or St. John’s Lutheran Church.