Richard L Peterson

Funeral Services for Richard L. Peterson will be held at the Bethel Lutheran Church in Holdrege, Nebraska on Thursday, January 22, 2015 at 3:00 p.m. with Pastor Jamie Strickler officiating. Interment will be in the Prairie Home Cemetery at Holdrege.

Richard Lorenzo Peterson, 91 years of age, of Holdrege, passed away on Sunday, January 18, 2015 at his home in Holdrege. Richard was born August 5, 1923 at Holdrege, the youngest of three children born to Eben and Ellen (Westberg) Peterson. The family made their home on a farm east of Holdrege. Richard received his primary education from Rural School District #10 and then graduated from Holdrege High School with the class of 1941. After graduation he was employed by Grainger Brothers and the AAA Office in Holdrege.

Richard was then inducted into the United States Army on March 12, 1943, assigned to the 78th Infantry Division and received his basic training at Camp Butner, North Carolina. After maneuvers in Tennessee, the division was sent to Camp Picket, Virginia and then to Camp Kilmer, New Jersey. In October of 1944, he was deployed oversees, serving in England, France, Belgium, and Germany. On January 28, 1946, he was honorably discharged at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas and he returned home to Phelps County. After his service, he returned to work at the AAA Office and later was a Veterans Service Officer.

On January 5, 1947 he was united in marriage to Wilma L. Johnson at Bertrand, Nebraska and to this union four sons were born: Douglas, Bruce, Scott, and Greg. In 1946, Richard began working at the Holdrege Post Office. During his years at the Post Office he was a clerk, Assistant Postmaster and Rural Carrier. He retired from the Postal Service in 1978. After retirement he entered into a real estate partnership with his brother, Willard. On August 1, 1985 he was preceded in death by his wife, Wilma.

Richard was a life-time member of the Bethel Lutheran Church of Holdrege, where he was baptized and confirmed. He also served on the Church Council and other committees through the years. He was a member of the American Legion Post #66, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, 78th Division Association, National Association of Retired Federal Employees and the Prairie Shufflers Square Dance Club.

Besides his parents, and wife, Wilma; Richard was preceded in death by his two brothers: Bernard Peterson and his wife, Christina and Willard Peterson and his wife, Faye.

He leaves to mourn his passing; his four sons: Douglas Peterson and his wife, Chris of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Bruce Peterson of Holdrege, Scott Peterson and his wife, Judy of Lincoln, Nebraska, and Greg Peterson of Omaha, Nebraska; eight grandchildren: Brian Peterson and his wife, Rachel of Castle Rock, Colorado, Jeff Peterson and his wife, Susie of Denver, Colorado, Michelle Peterson of Kearney, Nebraska, Jenna Bland and her husband, Evan of Council Bluffs, Iowa, Allison Palik and her husband, Aaron, Stewart Peterson and his wife, Ann, Lenore Berger and her husband, Chris and Ella Peterson all of Lincoln; 6 great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, January 21, 2015 from 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. with the family greeting from 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege.

A memorial has been established in Richard's honor and will be designated at a later date.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of the arrangements.