
Eldon D. Petersen
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Eldon D. Petersen, age 82, of Watertown SD, formerly of Lake Preston, SD passed away on Wednesday, October 9, 2019 at the Jenkins Care Center, Watertown, SD.
Services will begin with a family prayer service at 9:00 a.m.; visitation at 9:30 a.m. and the funeral service at 10:30 a.m. all occurring on Wednesday, October 16, 2019 at the Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer in Watertown. Burial will follow the services at 2:00 p.m. at the Lake Preston City Cemetery in Lake Preston, SD. Officiating the services will be Pastor Dan Ofstehage and Pastor Kent Stillson.
Honorary pallbearers are all of Eldon's grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Active pallbearers will be Jeff Petersen, Austen King, Nate Bell, David Vanden Hull, Justin Klumb and Tyler Klumb.
Eldon was born on April 18, 1937 on a farm north of Lake Preston SD, to Harvey and Lucille (Howard) Petersen. He attended country school then Erwin High School and graduated in 1955. In 1956, Eldon served his country when he was drafted into the United States Army; was honorably discharged in 1960. He returned home to the family farm and began his lifetime of farming the land.
On December 22, 1957 Eldon married the love of his life Shirley Brown at the Lake Preston Lutheran Church. The couple shared 61 years of their life together. The couple remained on the family farm until they retired and moved to Watertown in 2006. Eldon enjoyed his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren and collecting John Deere memorabilia. Eldon had a story of days gone by for everyone he met and if asked what best described him, it was everything farming. He was also known for his sense of humor.
Eldon is survived by his wife, Shirley of Watertown, SD; his son Tim (Jacki) Petersen of Mitchell, SD; three grandchildren: Candice Petersen of Volga, SD; Jeff Petersen of White, SD; and Kristen (David) Vanden Hull of Brandon, SD; three step-grandchildren: Justin (Angela) Klumb of Mount Vernon, SD; Brandon Klumb of Coarsegold, CA; and Tyler (Chynna) Klumb of Mitchell, SD; 16 great grandchildren; and one sister, Delores (Petersen) Ellingson of Rosemount, MN.
Eldon is preceded in death by his parents, Harvey and Lucille; his daughter, Nancy Petersen; his brothers, Mayland and Weldon Petersen; and his sisters, Rosella (Petersen) Lee and Dorothy (Petersen) Hinkley.
