Gary L. Peterson

          Gary L. Peterson, 76, of St. Paul died Thursday, March 30, 2017 at Brookefield Park in St. Paul.

          Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Monday at the First Presbyterian Church in St. Paul.  Reverend Martha Voigt will officiate.  Masonic services will be presented by the St. Paul Masonic Lodge #82 AF & AM.

          Interment will be in Elmwood Cemetery in St. Paul.

          Visitation will be on Sunday, from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at Jacobsen-Greenway Funeral Home in St. Paul. 

          Memorials are suggested to the First Presbyterian Church or the Howard County Historical Society.

          Gary was born July 11, 1940 in Albion to Eldred and Ada (Suchhardt) Peterson.

          The family lived north of Albion until 1953 when they moved to St. Paul.  Gary attended St. Paul schools where he graduated in 1959.  He was active in FFA, Boy Scouts and was a student manager for sports for 3 years while he was in high school.

          After his graduation, he attended a trade school in Omaha for 9 months studying auto mechanics.  He graduated in 1961.

          On September 24, 1961, he was united in marriage to Linda K. Wagner of St. Paul at the First Presbyterian Church in St. Paul.  Gary and Linda have been married for 55 years, living in their current home for 53 of those years.

          Gary was employed by Paulson Welding of St. Paul, Greenline Equipment in Silver Creek, Jacobs Ford in St. Paul and then Case New Holland for 32 years until his retirement in 1999.

          Over the years, he did many other things.  He tore down 4 houses and a barn, using the lumber to build and remodel their home and sold the excess lumber.  For several years, he and Linda cleaned carpets and upholstery.

          Gary liked to collect John Deere tractors.  He always wanted to be a farmer so in 1995 he bought 22 acres south of St. Paul and had a great time with his “hobby” farm until 2014 when he had to sell it because of his health.

          He also enjoyed traveling and gardening. He was a 3rd degree Mason in the St. Paul Masonic Lodge #82 AF & AM.  He was a confirmed member of the First Presbyterian Church in St. Paul.  He was very active in the church and served as an usher for many years and served as a Deacon and Elder.

          Gary loved his family very much and was extremely proud of them all and enjoyed family gatherings.

          Survivors include his wife, Linda of St. Paul; 3 daughters and spouses, Kay and Mark Rodgers and Carmin and Troy DeNoyer, all of Grand Island, and Kristie Peterson of St. Paul; grandchildren, Zachary Ross of St. Paul, Rachel Scarrow of Lincoln, Taylor and Casey DeNoyer of Grand Island, Makayla Petermann of Grand Island, and Miranda Paczosa of St. Paul; a great-granddaughter, Kaitlin Petermann of Grand Island; a brother and sister-in-law, Stan and Jeanette Peterson of Ponca City, OK and a niece Jenae Stephens and her husband Jesse  of Ponca City, OK.

          He is preceded in death by his parents and a sister, LaVeda Joyce Peterson.

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