Gaylord "Pete" Peterson
Gaylord “Pete” R. Peterson, 83, of Dorchester passed away peacefully June 29, 2025, due to heart failure, at Decorah Aase Haugen Home in the care of St. Croix Hospice. A Celebration of Life Open House will be held at the Eitzen Community Center, Eitzen, MN, Saturday, July 19, from noon to 4 p.m. Dress is casual, and there will be enjoyable food, reminiscing and sharing the memories of Pete through laughter and tears.
He was born October 9, 1941, in Lisbon, WI, the son of Gaylord Sr. and Rose (Rumshas) Orsbourne. His Mom later divorced and married Raymond Peterson.
Pete was united in marriage to Delores Beardmore in 1964, and they had two children together: Dawn and Wayne. They later divorced and Pete married Carol Blegen in 1974. They had three children together: Bob, Alan and Patrick.
Pete served his country in three branches of service: starting in 1960 with the U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force and retiring from the U.S. Army Reserve, Decorah in 1990. In addition to his service, he worked varied jobs; owned his own Pete’s Body Shop in Dorchester, worked at Caledonia Kwik Star for seven years, Waukon school bus driver for eight years, Decorah Walmart, and Carlson Road Construction for 10 years. At the age of 79 years old, Pete decided to retire from Mathy Construction after putting in 10 years as a traffic flagger.
He enjoyed the simple things in life: sunrises, sunsets, spending time with family, friends, going out to eat, cooking, and trout fishing. No one was a stranger to him, he loved talking with people.
He is survived by his wife, Carol, of 51 years; his daughter, Dawn (Brent) Janssen of Allison; four sons: Wayne (Penny) Kibbee of Hudson, and Bob Peterson, Alan Peterson and Patrick Peterson, all of Dorchester; three sisters: Toni Robbins of Waukon, Jo (Ron) Beardmore of Dorchester, and Ramona (Dale) Harris of Rochester, MN; his grandchildren: Melissa (Cory) Luchtenburg of Allison and Cordell (Hannah) Bolhuis of Sumner; his step-grandchildren: Samantha (Jo) Donald of Gifford, Robert (Kristen) of Shell Rock, and Chris Janssen of Platte City, MO; his great-grandchildren, Kayson, Emma, Weston and Sophia; and his step-great-grandchildren, Grant, Abi, Addo, Carolynn and Holly. Pete is also survived by his nieces and nephews: Rae Simpson, Ron “Butch” (Tammy) Beardmore, Rick (Mary) Beardmore, Robin (Jeff) Kessel, Tammy, Kelly Shefelbine; and many grand and great-nieces and great-nephews.
Condolences may be emailed to Pete’s family at petepeterson6family@gmail.com
