Harlan "Pete" Peterson

Harlan “Pete” Peterson, 80, passed away at his home on November 14, 2025.

Harlan was born July 16, 1945 to Elton and Nora (Holstad) Peterson in Mason City, Iowa. He was confirmed at Silver Lake Church in Northwood, Iowa. At 18, Harlan started working for Rock Island Railroad, which later became Union Pacific, where he retired from as a conductor. He married Sharon Peterson on July 24, 1965. He and Sharon loved being on the water which led to their winters in Port Aransas near Corpus Christi, Texas and summers in Wabasha, Minnesota on the Mississippi River. Harlan enjoyed collecting old cars, his first car was a 1934 Chevy. His father was a farmer and every summer and, on the holidays, he took the grandkids on tractor rides and over the years he began collecting tractors. Harlan loved being a grandpa, or as the grandkids called him, “Bobo”. He was a member of the Yellow River Canoe Club and the Fraternal order of Eagles Lodge.

Harlan is survived by his children, Angie (Jeff) Price and Brad (Natalie) Peterson; daughter-in-law, LeAnn Peterson; grandchildren, Travis (Brittany) Frankford, Kelsie (Stephen) Steck, Miles (Sara) Peterson, Miranda (Austin) DeYoung, Jordan Peterson, and Kaylee Peterson; great-grandchildren, Liam, Ryker, Paetyn, Ferryn, Titus, Case, Levi, and Rev; brother, Larry (Patty) Peterson; brothers-in-law, Russ Schnebly, Vernon (Bonnie) Peterson and Dennis (Sandi) Peterson; sisters-in-law, Francis Peterson and Bev (Denny) Steffensen; and numerous other loving family members and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Bruce Peterson; grandson, Blake Peterson; sister-in-law, Ilene Schnebly; brother-in-law, Roger Peterson; and his beloved wife of 58 years, Sharon Peterson.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, November 23, 2025, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Hamilton’s Southtown Funeral Home, 5400 SW 9th Street. The funeral service will be held on Monday, November 24th at 10:00 a.m. at Hamilton’s near Highland Memory Gardens, 121 NW 60th Avenue. Harlan will be laid to rest at Highland Memory Gardens Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be directed to Unity Point Hospice or Fort Des Moines Church of Christ in loving memory of Harlan.

Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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