Merle Bennet Peterson
January 26, 1940 ~ August 27, 2021
Merle B. Peterson, 81, Sioux Falls died Friday, August 27, 2021, at the Ava House following his battle with cancer.
Merle Bennet Peterson was born January 26, 1940, in Wausa, NE, to Harry and Emma (Skelberg) Peterson. Merle Peterson graduated Brookings High School. He met Maxine James and married March of 1960, in Brookings. They moved to Council Bluffs for his job at Fairmont Foods and he continued to work for Fairmont Foods when they moved to Storm Lake. They moved to Mitchell, SD, to work for a different company; Harker’s Wholesale Meats. The company transferred them to Sioux Falls, along with their two children. He worked for that company for 27 years. Once retired, Merle went to work for Orion Foods, for 15 years, being a truck driver. Upon retiring again, he did other part-time jobs with US Auto Force, Hy-Vee, and as a Grounds Keeper, at their apartment complex.
Merle was a devoted husband and father. He loved to hunt, fish, many motorcycle trips with his wife, and riding dirt bikes with his son. He also loved to travel, loved going for coffee at different coffee shops with his wife along, and with friends and family Through years of working as a salesman, he developed long-lasting friendships. Merle was a wonderful loving father and grandfather. He was always there to lend a helping hand when needed; especially to his daughter, and her many projects around her house.
Merle will be deeply missed by two children, Rick (Michelle) Peterson, Sioux Falls, and Kristi (Ryan Putnam) Bassett, Sioux Falls; nine grandchildren, Dalton, Taylor, Drake, McKenzie, Caden, Tara, Jeff, Jaris, and Jordan; eight great-grandchildren; one sister, Florence Doran; and many nieces and nephews.
Merle was preceded in death by his wife, Maxine; his parents, Harry and Emma (Skelberg) Peterson; one son (at birth), Randall; one grandchild, Eric Boyd; one brother, Sterling Peterson; and one sister, Darlene Holmberg.
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