Lee Peterson

Lee Peterson, 90, of Holabird, passed away Saturday, September 30, 2017 at Highmore Health in Highmore.

Funeral service was held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, October 4, 2017 at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Highmore. Burial will be at St. Mary's Cemetery, Highmore. Visitation began at 6:00 p.m. followed by a 7:00 p.m., wake service on Tuesday, October 3, 2017, all at the church.

Lee Marlin Peterson was born January 27, 1927, in Woonsocket, SD, to Lewis and Mary (Martin) Peterson. After his father died when Lee was 3 years old, his mother brought him and his brother Dale to Canning, SD, to live with her family. Lee attended school there, graduating from Canning High School in 1944.

Upon graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy Air Force and trained as a turret gunner. His time in the service enabled him (always a small-town boy at heart) to travel to Memphis, TN; Norman, OK; Macon, GA; Great Lakes, IL; and southern Florida. Upon his honorable discharge in 1946, Lee returned home to work for Carl Graff and Erv Korkow as a ranch hand.

Lee met Catherine “Kay” Dancey at a bowry dance in Harrold, SD. The two of them started a dance that night which would continue for over 64 years. They were married in a double wedding ceremony with Kay’s sister Ramona and Clarence Gluhmn on April 6, 1953, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Highmore, SD. Their first year of married life was spent in DeGrey, SD. In 1954 they moved to Holabird, SD, to the home where they would live until Lee’s passing. Lee and Kay raised eight children on their ranch: Dancey, Joe, Rock, John (Jack,) Julie, Colin, Ross, and Steve.

Lee ranched and farmed his entire life, and also sold life insurance for Knights of Columbus. He and Kay owned and operated the Centennial Cafe and Lounge in Harrold, SD, and he worked at Hall’s in Highmore. He was an active school board member, and a member of Knights of Columbus, the Stockgrowers Association, and the American Legion. He was honored as a 40-year, Fourth Degree Knight, and in 2009 received the Freedom Fighter Award in Hyde County.

Lee was a quiet, sincere man whose greatest pleasure was spending time with family. It was not unusual for him to load up five or six kids for a camping trip or short vacation — hunting in the Black Hills or trips to the Denver stock show. Lee was an avid rodeo fan, and watched his children and grandchildren compete over the years. If he had a vice, it was pinochle. At every family gathering, he could be counted on to start a game.

Lee liked to take the backroads, to see new country and discover where the roads would take him. His passengers were often in for an adventurous ride...or occasionally a long walk!

He leaves behind many who are grateful to have had him in their lives: his wife Catherine of Holabird, SD; his daughter Julie (Chad) Carroll of Rapid City, SD; his sons: Joe Peterson of Deadwood, SD, Rock Peterson of Pierre, SD, Colin Peterson of Martin, SD, Ross (Chrissy) Peterson of Sturgis, SD, and Steve (Lori) Peterson of Holabird, SD;15 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren.

Lee was preceded in death by his sons, Dancey and John Peterson; two brothers; and his parents.

Luze Funeral Home of Highmore has been entrusted with Lee's arrangements.