Donald Peterson, 86, of Centerville, SD died Tuesday, August 12, 2014 at the Centerville Care Center. He was born July 18, 1928 in Centerville to Irving and Ruth (Runeberg) Peterson. He was six years old when his mother died; his father married Edith Johnson and Don saw her as his mom. He attended country school near Centerville and graduated from Centerville High School. Don attended one year at the South Dakota School of Mines before being called to return to help on the family farm due to his father's health. Don married Virginia Denbow on April 29, 1951 in Hurley. He was inducted into the US Army on May 24, 1951 and served in the Korean War until his discharge on February 24, 1953. After returning from the service, Don and Gin made their home near Hurley. The family later moved to a farm near Centerville where they farmed until moving into Centerville in 1996. Don was employed by Westberg Fertilizer while farming. He was also employed at the Centerville Good Samaritan as the maintenance supervisor until his retirement in 2007. He was a lifelong member of Scandia Lutheran Church. He lived his faith through the practices in his daily life, leading by example. Don was always willing to help anyone in need. He was never the "showy" kind and was always humble. Don had a quick wit with his family and friends and enjoyed making them smile. He was an avid Twins fan, enjoyed reading and learning, and loved having his family around him. We will treasure the lessons we learned and the memories we shared. Survivors include his wife of 63 years, Gin, of Centerville; five children, Jene (Mark) Fodness of Portland, OR, Gordon (Kathy) of Eden Prairie, MN, Gary (Julie) of Beresford, Gaylon (Michele) of Des Moines, IA and Kelli of Sioux Falls; eight grandchildren, Sara (Bryan) Teichgraeber, Eric (Corinne Young) Peterson, Chris Peterson, Chad Fuller, Jarrod (Melissa) Peterson, Brandon (Lindsay) Peterson, Dominic Peterson and Jack Peterson; six great-grandchildren, Caden, Cole and Chase Teichgraeber, Kason Peterson and Grady and Lincoln Peterson. Don is also survived by two brothers, Elwood Peterson of Sioux Falls and Arnie Peterson of Lincoln, NE; his guardian angel, Howard Kussman and a very special cat, Buddy. He was preceded in death by his parents, his step-mother, one sister, Grace Lind and one brother, Leslie. The family requests memorials are directed to the Centerville Care and Rehabilitation Center. Funeral services will be 10AM Saturday, August 16, 2014 at Scandia Lutheran Church, Centerville. Visitation will be 3-8PM Friday at Scandia Lutheran Church's fellowship hall with the family present from 6-8PM.