Doug Peterson

Memorial celebration of life party for Doug Peterson, 66, of Carbon will be 5 p.m. Saturday, July 15, at Doug and Patty’s home located at 1421 175th St. in Corning. The family invites you to bring a dish to share at the potluck during this celebration of Doug’s life. Memorials may be directed to Corning Freedom Rock or Carbon Hall. Services were entrusted to Ritchie Funeral Home, 124 S. Main St., in Lenox.

Douglas Dale Peterson was born June 2, 1951, in Creston to Dale Peterson and Milree (Stone) Peterson. Doug grew up on the family farm near Carbon, and attended grade school in Carbon, before attending Corning schools. Doug loved sports and was part of the Red Raider baseball, football and wrestling teams. He graduated with the Corning High School class of 1970. After his graduation, he worked at a few different jobs around Corning, before joining his father on the Peterson farm. Doug worked on the farm, raising cattle and hogs and growing beans and corn.

On Feb. 1, 1975, Doug married the love of his life, Patty Graf, in Corning. Doug “Dougie” lost his only child status, as the family with 10 children welcomed him with open arms. Doug and Patty made their own home on the Peterson farm, near Dale and Milree, and worked aside his parents until Dale’s death in 1979. The Petersons continue farming to this day.

Early in their marriage, Doug enjoyed coaching and playing softball with the Akin Lumber team. He loved sports and traveled to watch the KC Royals and Iowa Hawkeyes, his two favorite teams. Doug was known as the “Party Planner” by his close friends, and was given a “Party Planner of the Year Award.” Doug was always making plans for the next big vacation or road trip. Family and friends could always count on him for the next big adventure. Doug and Patty loved traveling west for skiing and snowmobiling, they enjoyed camping and have visited several destinations by motorcycle, as Doug loved being on the go. He started his own business selling E-Z-GO golf carts, and sold to individuals in the surrounding towns, making many new friends during these years. He loved cars and motorcycles, and was a true Pontiac man; he eventually opened Pete’s Auto, buying and selling automobiles. Doug was the self-proclaimed “Archie Bunker” – he may have grumbled on the outside but he was kind, caring and soft on the inside. Doug always had a smile and greeted everyone warmly, and when anyone asked Doug for help, you would always hear his favorite response, “No problem.”

Doug and Patty’s marriage was blessed with two beautiful children, Jennifer “Jeni” Christine and Matthew “Matt” Dale. Doug was a big supporter of his children’s activities and events. He especially loved taking Matt and his friends to College World Series Games in Omaha. Growing up, Jeni and Matt knew that “Dad” was the softie; if Mom said no, they would go to Dad and he would say yes. What will be missed most by Matt are the daily conversations with his dad, and by Jeni, the time spent with her dad planning and shopping for the next surprise gift for Patty.

Doug and Patty’s life was again blessed when they became grandparents in 2010. “Papa” adored his grandchildren and loved having them on the farm. They will be able to cherish the many memories of the golf cart, tractor and motorcycle rides that Papa gave them, as well as the endless love he had for his grandchildren.

Doug was a strong, kind, and loving son, husband, father, grandfather, brother-in-law, uncle and friend. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends. He loved riding his motorcycles, and on Saturday, July 8, he took his final ride to Heaven, as his wife, daughter and son were by his side to say good-bye.

Doug leaves behind to cherish his memory, his loving wife and partner of 42 years, Patty Peterson; daughter Jeni (Peterson) Smith and husband, Nathan, their three children, Zoe, Coy and Dax Smith of Dubuque; son Matt Peterson of Knoxville, and of course his sidekick, Moose; father-in-law Edwin Graf; the in-laws “out-laws,” Fred and Joyce Graf, Dan and Reba Graf, Jean and Pat Paul, Bob and Karen Graf, Ed Graf and Chris Graf, Julie Graf, Brenda and Jerry Larsen, and Lisa Graf; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and countless friends.

Doug was preceded in death by his parents, Dale and Milree; stepfather Dick Miller; mother-in-law Julia Graf and step mother-in-law Garnett Graf.