1929
Dale
2013
Dale Peterson
July 25, 1929 — November 30, 2013
Dale R. Peterson, age 84, of Breckenridge, MN died on November 30, 2013 at Sanford Hospital in Fargo, ND. The visitation is scheduled for Friday, December 6, 2013, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m., at Joseph Vertin & Sons Funeral Home in Breckenridge MN. The funeral will be on Saturday, December 7, at 11:00 a.m., at the United Methodist Church in Breckenridge. The interment will be at the Fort Snelling National Cemetery, in Minneapolis, MN, at 1:00 p.m., on Monday, December 9, 2013, where his wife, Sharon Ann, is also buried.
Dale was born on a farm outside of Dazey, ND, on July 25, 1929, to Leslie and Alma (Olson) Peterson. He was the second youngest of six children.
After graduation from high school in 1948, he enlisted in the United States Navy, serving upon the destroyer tender USS Hamul (AD-20) during the Korean War. Dale was a communications specialist in the Navy, earning a Navy Commendation Medal for his service in the seas off of North Korea, where he was detailed as a communications specialist to a number of destroyers operating off of the coast of North Korea. Dale was also a member of the Honor Guard at the commissioning of the USS Newport News, where he had the occasion to meet President Harry S. Truman. In addition to the Navy Commendation Medal, Dale also earned the Army of Occupation Medal, with both European and Japan devices; the Navy Good Conduct Medal; the Korean Service Medal; the United Nations Korean Service Medal; and the National Defense Service Medal.
After his discharge from the Navy in 1952, Dale went to work in the telecommunication field. Over the years he worked for several companies and state associations for telecommunication until his retirement in 1991.
Following his retirement, Dale served on the Breckenridge Public Utility Board as a commissioner, and later its chairman, until his death. He also served on several state and national committees relating to Safety and Training of technicians for public utilities.
Dale was an active member of the United Methodist Church of Breckenridge. He enjoyed working with Pastor and assisting the needs of the church in any way possible. He was a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Military Order of the Cooties, The Tin Can Sailors Association, and the American Legion. His brothers signed Dale up for the American Legion when he joined the Navy, so he had over 62 years of continuous membership. Dale was a member of the Wilkin County Honor Guard. He was also past Commander of Alfred Lockman Post 53. He felt very privileged and honored to be present as a member of the Honor Guard at the funeral for any veteran. He is the immediate past District 9 Commander of the American Legion for Minnesota.
On June 9, 1956, Dale married the love of his life Sharon Ann Detra. They had 3 children, Leora, Leslie, and Linda. Dale and Sharon enjoyed 52 years of marriage until Sharon's untimely death in 2008.
Dale believed that family was very important and he always strived to pass this philosophy on to his children and grandchildren. He also felt he could pass this belief on to other families through his involvement with the church. He willingly gave back to the community through his work with the American Legion baseball team and enjoyed helping other youth organizations whenever he was asked.
Dale is survived by his three children, Leora (Timothy) Wile, Lansdale PA; Leslie Peterson, Breckenridge MN, and Linda (Gerald) Kovalich, San Antonio, TX; five grandchildren, Terri Wile; Zachary Wile; Paul Vassar, Marissa Kovalich, and Wesley Kovalich; and two great-grandchildren, Peyton Lugo and Raquel Lugo. He is also survived by his brother, Lowell Peterson, of Milwaukee, WI; and his sister, Serena "Bunny" Mohr, of Inner Grove Heights, MN.
Dale was preceded in death by his parents, Leslie and Alma Peterson; his wife, Sharon Ann (Detra) Peterson; two brothers, Reynold Peterson and Eugene Peterson; and one sister, Elsie Johnson.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Wounded Warrior Program, SPCA, or Riveredge Hospice in Breckenridge.
Dale was born on a farm outside of Dazey, ND, on July 25, 1929, to Leslie and Alma (Olson) Peterson. He was the second youngest of six children.
After graduation from high school in 1948, he enlisted in the United States Navy, serving upon the destroyer tender USS Hamul (AD-20) during the Korean War. Dale was a communications specialist in the Navy, earning a Navy Commendation Medal for his service in the seas off of North Korea, where he was detailed as a communications specialist to a number of destroyers operating off of the coast of North Korea. Dale was also a member of the Honor Guard at the commissioning of the USS Newport News, where he had the occasion to meet President Harry S. Truman. In addition to the Navy Commendation Medal, Dale also earned the Army of Occupation Medal, with both European and Japan devices; the Navy Good Conduct Medal; the Korean Service Medal; the United Nations Korean Service Medal; and the National Defense Service Medal.
After his discharge from the Navy in 1952, Dale went to work in the telecommunication field. Over the years he worked for several companies and state associations for telecommunication until his retirement in 1991.
Following his retirement, Dale served on the Breckenridge Public Utility Board as a commissioner, and later its chairman, until his death. He also served on several state and national committees relating to Safety and Training of technicians for public utilities.
Dale was an active member of the United Methodist Church of Breckenridge. He enjoyed working with Pastor and assisting the needs of the church in any way possible. He was a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Military Order of the Cooties, The Tin Can Sailors Association, and the American Legion. His brothers signed Dale up for the American Legion when he joined the Navy, so he had over 62 years of continuous membership. Dale was a member of the Wilkin County Honor Guard. He was also past Commander of Alfred Lockman Post 53. He felt very privileged and honored to be present as a member of the Honor Guard at the funeral for any veteran. He is the immediate past District 9 Commander of the American Legion for Minnesota.
On June 9, 1956, Dale married the love of his life Sharon Ann Detra. They had 3 children, Leora, Leslie, and Linda. Dale and Sharon enjoyed 52 years of marriage until Sharon's untimely death in 2008.
Dale believed that family was very important and he always strived to pass this philosophy on to his children and grandchildren. He also felt he could pass this belief on to other families through his involvement with the church. He willingly gave back to the community through his work with the American Legion baseball team and enjoyed helping other youth organizations whenever he was asked.
Dale is survived by his three children, Leora (Timothy) Wile, Lansdale PA; Leslie Peterson, Breckenridge MN, and Linda (Gerald) Kovalich, San Antonio, TX; five grandchildren, Terri Wile; Zachary Wile; Paul Vassar, Marissa Kovalich, and Wesley Kovalich; and two great-grandchildren, Peyton Lugo and Raquel Lugo. He is also survived by his brother, Lowell Peterson, of Milwaukee, WI; and his sister, Serena "Bunny" Mohr, of Inner Grove Heights, MN.
Dale was preceded in death by his parents, Leslie and Alma Peterson; his wife, Sharon Ann (Detra) Peterson; two brothers, Reynold Peterson and Eugene Peterson; and one sister, Elsie Johnson.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Wounded Warrior Program, SPCA, or Riveredge Hospice in Breckenridge.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Dale Peterson, please visit our flower store.