Kenneth D. Peterson

MONTICELLO, IOWA

Kenneth Dean Peterson, 94, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, in Manchester, Iowa.

Family and friends are invited to attend a brief celebration of Ken’s life at the Kramer-Morris Funeral Home in Monticello on Saturday, May 31, 2025, from 1 – 2 p.m. Following the gathering, family members will proceed to the Oakwood Cemetery in Monticello for the interment. Condolences, memories, and messages of sympathy may be shared at www.kramer-morrisfuneralhome.com.

Ken is survived by his four children: Kendy (Les) Behrends of Hendersonville, TN; Maria (Mike) Tuttle of Sun City West, AZ; Cindi (Dan) Recker of Manchester, IA; and Ken (Chirinjev) Peterson Jr. of Greenville, SC. He is also survived by his sister Linda (Larry) Richardsen of Lisbon, IA, nine grandchildren, thirteen great-grandchildren, and many beloved nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his best friend and wife of 61 years, Marilyn Peterson; his parents, Warner and Marie Peterson; a grandson, Jason Behrends; siblings James (Betty), Cliff (Sherlee), Helen (Roy Meeks), and Ruth Peterson; and brother-in-law Charles Blinks.

Ken was born on October 10, 1930, in Mt. Vernon, Iowa, to Warner and Marie (Chamberlain) Peterson. He attended country school and graduated from Mt. Vernon High School. Throughout his life, Ken embraced hard work and a variety of roles: farming with his father, delivering feed, selling feed, insurance, and real estate, and later managing agribusiness. Well into his later years, he continued working at Theisen’s Farm Store until age 80. On June 1, 1950, Ken married the love of his life, Marilyn Howard, at the historic Nolan Settlement near Morse, Iowa. The couple lived in Monticello for over fifty years. He spent his final decade at Lake Delhi, next door to his daughter Cindi, where he enjoyed watching the eagles, deer, and boats. Ken enjoyed fishing, gardening, traveling, and most of all, time with family. Ken will be remembered for his gentle nature, kind heart, and abiding optimism. He brought warmth and light to those around him.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Delhi First Responders, PO Box 2,

Delhi, IA 52223.

Kramer-Morris Funeral Home in Monticello is assisting the family. Information is available at https://www.kramer-morrisfuneralhome.com.