Peterson, Donald 'Pete' W.

Donald “Pete” W. Peterson, known as D.W., Pete, Geez or Geezil (but rarely Donald), passed away Friday, Dec. 28, 2012, at Cottage Grove Place in Cedar Rapids at the amazing age of 92.

He was a man of deep faith, tremendous integrity, with a generous heart, a quick wit, always a loyal friend to all who knew him. Most importantly he was the best son, brother, husband, and grandfather, but most of all, the greatest dad.

Mass of Christian Burial will take place Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2013, at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church at 1 p.m., with co-celebrants Father Jack Flaherty of All Saints Catholic Church and Father Chris Prodhasky of St. Wenceslaus. Burial will follow at St. John's Cemetery, where he will be laid to eternal rest next to his first wife, Barb, with military rights at the graveside. Visitation will held at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home on Tuesday, Jan. 1, from 4 to 7 p.m., with a vigil and remembrance ceremony at 6:30 p.m.

Born Oct. 1, 1920, in Waterloo, Iowa, to William and Mae Barbara (Heinen) Peterson, the family moved to Storm Lake in 1925. This special town he held in the highest regard and love and was an ever present influence over his entire life. Geez graduated with the great class of 1938 from Storm Lake High School and went on the University of Iowa. He proudly enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1942 and served as a Seabee in the Philippine theater during World War II. After the war, he graduated from the University of Iowa in 1947, with a degree in commerce. He then married Barbara May Mezik on June 6, 1947, in Iowa City. To this union the light of his life, his daughter, Susan Ann, was born. Barb died too young and early on Aug. 28, 1978. After the death of his beloved wife of 31 years he was so fortunate to again find love and married Dee Jeffrey on April 23, 1982, in Burlington, Iowa. After 21 years of marriage Dee also passed in September 2005.

Pete worked for 22 years at Collins Radio in avionics sales, leaving there in 1970 to found Intertrade Ltd. and then later Airline Industrial Services, from which he retired in 1999.

He was a devout Catholic and member of All Saints Catholic Church, the Elks Club in Storm Lake, a lifetime member of the University of Iowa Alumni Association and also past president of the University Athletic Club.

Geez's high school motto was “Brevity is the Soul of Wit” and he loved to make people laugh and have a good time. He so loved music, good food, was a good neighbor, and was always a loyal Hawkeye. Remember him always with a smile on his face and a wink of his eye.

Left to mourn his loss, cherish his memory, and continue his legacy, are his only child, his devoted daughter, Susan Peterson Moulder and her husband, Stan; his twin grandsons, Justin C. Moulder (Lindsay) and Jameson R. Moulder; his loving granddaughter, Alyssa Mae Hallie Moulder; precious great-granddaughter, Elle Ryenne Moulder; and a great-grandson to be born in February. Also surviving is a stepdaughter, Dana Jeffrey Laursen.

Preceding him in death were his two wives, his parents, and his younger brother, Jim. He is with them all again.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Marc Wilkinson for his wisdom and guidance over the years, Hospice of Mercy, and mostly especially all of those who cared for him over these last years at Cottage Grove Place as well as Bickford Cottage earlier, with compassion and most of all, true understanding.

A memorial fund is being established in his name by the family.

Please leave a message or tribute to the family on the Web page, www.cedarmemorial.com under Obituaries.

Published Dec. 31, 2012 in The Gazette