of Kadoka, South Dakota, died on Monday, August 12, 2013 at his son's residence in Rapid City at the age of 87
Stanley Dean Peterson was born December 9, 1925, in Chadron, Nebraska, the son of Delmar L. “Butch” and Lois Blanche (McDonald) Peterson. He was raised on the Peterson Ranch, in the Sand Hills on LaCreek, south of Martin. He grew up during the Depression and never forgot the sacrifices and hard times. He grew up knowing the pioneers, settlers, and Native Americans and learned from their stories of survival and how they cleared the way for the future generations. Stanley attended Plainview School and Bennett County High School. Before finishing high school, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and entered active duty on January 20, 1944, during WWII.
After boot camp, he was placed in the V-12 Officer’s Program, attending Arkansas A&M, and Colorado College, followed by Green’s Farm Scouts and Sniper School at Camp Pendleton. He served as a Troop Transport Quartermaster and shipped out to the South Pacific on the USS American Legion. After returning, he briefly served on Marine patrol at Terminal Island near Long Beach, California.
On August 2, 1946, he was honorably discharged with the rank of Lance Corporal, and returned home to his beloved Sand Hills, vowing to never leave them. He finished his education at Chadron State College and the University of Northern Colorado as a teacher and coach. At Chadron, the post-war veterans came together, as they had in war, and won the football conference championship two years in a row, 1947 and 1948. That brotherhood remains today as the Purple Passion Group, who are honored at every homecoming football game at Chadron State College.
His first teaching and coaching assignment was at Pine Ridge High School, where he coached football and started the first girls’ high school basketball team in western South Dakota. He then left for Redding, California, where he continued his teaching and coaching career.
He returned to South Dakota in 1951 due to his mother’s illness. He met the love of his life, Frances Yvonne Craven, who was singing at a Christmas program in Wanblee. They were married September 8, 1952, in Rapid City, and returned to Redding where they made their home, until the draw of western South Dakota brought them back in 1968. They made their home in Kadoka. In 1988, at age 64, he finished his teaching and coaching career.
He spent his retirement years serving on the Kadoka City Council and Kadoka School Board. He returned to coaching at Rapid City Christian High School during 1998-1999. At that time, he was the oldest active football coach in SD, and his assistant coach was his son, Casey Peterson.
He was proud of his heritage, which traced back to the Mayflower and the Sons of the American Revolution. He was a lifelong member of the American Legion Post #240 of Martin, SD.
He fondly remembered all the students he was privileged to teach and coach, each of whom he remembered with incredible detail. As a teacher and coach, he would not tolerate bullying, and demanded loyalty and respect for everyone.
He loved to teach anyone who had an open mind, especially his children and six grandchildren. He was a philosopher, storyteller, and poet who studied all aspects of life. He stimulated discussion with the coffee group in Kadoka with questions such as “What’s the difference between freedom and liberty; happiness and contentment; or respect and love?” He believed in living life with memories in mind and the importance of choosing what is God-made, and not man-made.
After the loss of his beloved wife on June 7, 1995, he remained dedicated to their marriage, home, and family. In his later years, he spent his time with his family in Kadoka and Rapid City.
He remained standing on his own two feet, until the day his journey took him to God and his beloved wife in heaven.
Grateful for having shared his life are his son Casey Peterson and his wife Kathryn, and their sons Casey, Dean, Tanister, and Torin of Rapid City; his daughter Robin Peterson-Lund and her husband, Arnold of Kadoka and their children Arnold III and Skye; the Arthur McDonald, Louis McDonald, Patty McDonald Fralick, and Danny McDonald families, brother-in-law Edmund Risse and his families, Donna Wagner's children and their families, and a host of other relatives and friends.
In addition to his wife Frances, Stanley was preceded in death by his two sisters, Gloria Risse and Donna Wagner.
Visitation was held from 5-7 p.m. on Friday, August 16, at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church in Kadoka, with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m.
Funeral services were held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, August 17, at the Kadoka City Auditorium, with Father Bryan Sorensen officiating.
Interment with military honors was held at the Kadoka Cemetery.
Memorials have been established: The Stanley D. & Frances Y. Peterson "Bad Milk" Scholarship at Chadron State College and the Stanley D. & Frances Y. Peterson Frontier Nurse Fellowship at South Dakota State University, College of Nursing Graduate Program.
FUNERAL SERVICES
Saturday, August 17, 2013 - 11:00 a.m.
Kadoka City Auditorium
Kadoka, South Dakota
CLERGY
Father Bryan Sorensen
Jo Anne Stilwell - Pianist
Our Lady of Victory Choir and Musicians
“Be Thou My Vision”
“Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee”
Dean Peterson - Vocalist
“I Want To Go Home”
Dean, Casey, Tanister & Torin Peterson
Arne III and Skye Lund - Vocalists
“Country Roads”
Sandee Yordy and Family - Vocalists
“Swing Low, Sweet Chariot”
USHERS
Dr. Boyd Porch - Terry Deuter
PALLBEARERS
Casey H. Peterson - Austin Dean Peterson
Tanister K. Peterson - Torin McGaa Peterson
Arnold Peterson Lund III - Skye Frances Lund
HONORARY PALLBEARERS
Barry Barber - Terry Deuter - Dr. Justin Green
Arthur McDonald - Louis McDonald
Dr. Boyd Porch - Edmund Risse
INTERMENT WITH MILITARY HONORS
Kadoka Cemetery
Kadoka, South Dakota
Visitation: 5-7 p.m. on Friday, August 16, at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church in Kadoka.
Prayer Service: 7:00 p.m. Friday, August 16, at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church in Kadoka.
Funeral services: 11:00 a.m. Saturday, August 17, at the Kadoka City Auditorium
Interment with military honors: Kadoka Cemetery.