Don L. Peterson, 80, of Cozad, passed away Aug. 17, 2012, at the Cozad Community Hospital.
Don was born on June 24, 1932, north of Gothenburg in Custer County to Harry Lyle Peterson and Mabel Concordia Maline Peterson. Don attended elementary school at New Hope School and then graduated from Gothenburg High School in 1950.
Don then farmed with his father and brothers, Gene and Duane. In 1953 he spent two years in the United States Army. He served his country in Austria with the occupational force until May 1955.
On May 26, 1957, Don married Margilu Ellen Anderson and they made their home in the New Hope Community.
As a young man, Don accepted the Lord as his personal Savior when attending services at the Gothenburg Baptist Church. He was a member of the New Hope Evangelical Free Church where he served as Church Chairman, Sunday School Superintendent, Middle School Youth Group Leader and Sunday School Teacher.
He was a member of the Custer County Extension Board and a member of the Youth for Christ Board in North Platte. He was the Secretary of the New Hope School District No. 153 for many years. He was a 4-H Leader for the New Hope Buddies Livestock Club. Don enjoyed helping with the county fair and the Spanneth 4-H Club which had livestock shows together. Don enjoyed the men’s fellowship meetings at the Seva Dahl Church and Singspiration at Tallin Church. Don enjoyed all his friends while owning the Daylight Donut Shop in Cozad for 18 years. He attended the Cozad Bible Church. Don enjoyed his children and grandchildren with their many activities.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Barbara Kay; and older brother, Gene.
Survivors include his wife, Margilu, of Cozad; his daughter, Julie (Chuck) of Manhattan, Kan.; his son, Jeff (Paula), of Seward; and son, Kurt (Christine), of Rockford, Minn.; his eight grandchildren, Kalen, Keith, Amanda, Daniel, Abby, Emily, Lexi, and Adam; and his brother, Duane (Lavonne) Peterson, of Gothenburg; sister, JoAnn (Boyd) Phillippi, of Cozad; sister-in-law, Janey Peterson, of Lincoln; and brother-in-law, Dr. Ted (Shirley) Anderson, of Lincoln; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Memorials are suggested to the Cozad Bible Church or New Hope Evangelical Free Church, Gothenburg. Condolences may be shared at berrymanfuneralhome.com.
Services will be at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 22, at the Cozad Bible Church with Pastor J.C. Calhoun officiating. Burial with military honors will be at Fort McPherson National Cemetery at Maxwell.
Visitation will be from 1-8 p.m., today, at the Berryman Funeral Home in Cozad with family receiving friends from 6-8 p.m.
Berryman Funeral Home in Cozad is in charge of arrangements.