Archived Services

Charles "Pete" Peterson
01-31-2021

Charles "Pete" E. Peterson was born July 1, 1947, in Kansas City, MO to Paul and Frances (Hardtarfer) Peterson. Pete passed away at the age 73 on Sunday, January 31, 2021, at Ava's Hospice House in Sioux Falls, SD.

Pete grew up in Overbrook, KS and graduated from Overbrook High School in 1965. Upon graduation from the Kansas State Teachers College, he earned his Bachelor's Degree in business and married his college sweetheart, Cheryl Edmunds on May 24, 1969. Pete then enlisted in the United States Air Force and served our country for four years while stationed at Lowry Air Force Base in Denver, CO from July 1969 - July 1973.

Pete's working career involved working for the Caterpillar dealership in Denver, CO in their Sales and Marketing department before being transferred to the Sioux Falls, SD dealership. Pete also worked many years for Haug Construction where he sold bins, buildings and grain drying equipment. The last 17 years of his career he became an accomplished machinist completing his working career as a lathe operator for Midwest Precision Tool and Die.

Pete was united in marriage to Virginia "Ginny" Cruce on April 16, 1983 in Topeka, KS.

Pete's hobbies included piloting single engine air planes, photography, camping, hunting, fishing, guns, ammunition and tinkering around in his shop. Pete also had a lifelong love for heavy machinery and horsepower where he spent many years restoring John Deere tractors.

Pete drew many friends throughout the years and held many "family reunions" with he and Ginny's many adopted family members at their home away from home in Sherman, SD.

Pete is survived by his "lovely wife" of 37 years: Ginny; and his havanese-poodle: Lilly; his brother: Steve (Marsha) Peterson Emporia, KS, two nieces: Kristi and Kerri and their families; and many close friends including some that Pete and Ginny considered their "kids". Pete is preceded in death by his parents, his Aunt Gladys Hardtarfer, an uncle and other family members from Ohio.

Visitation will be Thursday, February 4, 2021, 5:00 PM at  Barnett-Lewis Funeral Home with a time of sharing at 6:30.