Nancy J. Peterson

Nancy J. Peterson, 77, Harrisburg, SD, formally of Rapid City, died, January 13, 2022 at the Dougherty Hospice Home in Sioux Falls with family by her side.

Nancy was born September 4, 1944 in Huron, SD to Carl & Nadine (VanVoorhis) McDonald.  She attended school in New Underwood, graduating in 1962.  After high school, Nancy moved to Wall and began working for Golden West Telephone.  There she met the love of her life, Francis “Pete” Peterson, who was stationed there at the missile site for EAFB.  They were married in Wall on September 4, 1966.  After Pete return from Vietnam and left the military, Pete took a job with Golden West and they moved to New Underwood. 

Nancy spent her time as an amazing homemaker and mother, running the girls to and from school for activities, being a homeroom mom, a girl scout leader, and teaching Vacation Bible School.  She was also the community canning expert.  Many a times a call would come requesting Nancy to “come quick, my canner is doing this…”help!"   She was on the board for the Good Samaritan Center in New Underwood where her grandmother, mother, and father all resided throughout the years. 

In 1985, Nancy began working for the Douglas School District and later the New Underwood School District as an Aide. After about five years, Pete told her he missed her not being home for lunch and so she quit. 

Pete retired in 1997 and they began their “golden years” traveling everywhere they could, all over the USA, Canada, Mexico, France, Australia, New Zealand…the list goes on.  In 2005, they sold the house they lived in for 35+ years and moved to Rapid City.

She was a long-time member of Trinity Lutheran Church.  Nancy enjoyed doing flower arrangements, embroidering, camping, and most importantly, being a Grandma.  They spent several hours traveling back and forth from Rapid City to Sioux Falls area attending band concerts, basketball games, football games, or baseball games for Nathan and then hurrying home to attend Knowledge Bowls, basketball games, or school band concerts for Jessica and Christina, or vice versa. 

In October 2021, they moved to Harrisburg as her health had deteriorated, to be closer to their daughter Carla to help with her care. 

Nancy is survived by her husband of 55 wonderful years Francis (Pete); two daughters, Carla (Scott) Ochsner, Tea, SD and Lynne (Wayne) Pedersen, Rapid City, SD; three grandchildren, Jessica Pedersen, Nathan Ochsner and Christina Pedersen; brother-in-law, Larry Eisenbraun; three nephews, several great-nephews and nieces; and one cousin, Delbert (Mae) VanVoorhis, Minn. 

She was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Mary Eisenbraun; and several aunts, uncles and cousins; as well as her two dogs, Phoodles and Jasper.

In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established for the education of Nancy’s three grandchildren or the Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls, SD.

Visitation will at Kirk Funeral Home Friday, January 21, 2022 from 5:00-7:00pm, with a prayer service starting at 7:00pm.

 Funeral services will be Saturday, January 22, 2022 at 11:00am at Trinity Lutheran Church with Pastor Wilbur Holz officiating.  Burial will follow at Mt. View Cemetery.

Family and friends may sign Nancy’s online guestbook at www.kirkfuneralhome.com