Roger Petersen of De Smet

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On Monday, February 11, 2019, Roger Carl Petersen, loving husband, father, and grandfather, passed away at the age of 76. 
Roger was born August 11, 1942, in Huron to Lester and Carol (Holland) Petersen. He graduated from De Smet High School in 1960. On June 27th, 1964, he married Dianne Tenneboe in Lake Preston. He graduated near the top of his class at Augustana (College) University, receiving his degree in 1967. 
Although he spent over 40 years as a community agricultural banker, his true passion was the small family farm and the land they lived on and worked. A farm where all living things are in balance, above and below the soil, from the smallest organisms to the families themselves.
Roger grew up on the family farm his own dad purchased the day he was born in 1942. During his lifetime, he witnessed a mix of farmscapes where grass, alfalfa, corn, wheat and barley were the norm, to a changed landscape where corn and soybeans were the main crops. Roger was passionate about being a guardian of the land and not abusing that to which his care had been entrusted. Staying true to this, he returned his land to the purples, blues, and reds of Big Blue, Indian, and Switch grasses. 
Roger was also a dedicated stockman. He milked Grade A dairy cows, finishing the milking before the sun came up. He raised pigs, sheep, cattle, goats, and chickens. Like most of his generation, the stock was fed and watered before he would have his own breakfast. That’s the way he did it, year after year. 
He did not care what car or truck you drove or what your bank account looked like. He treated all people fairly in a world where a handshake and honesty meant more than a written contract. He never shied away from a task, and would always put others before himself. He was dedicated and loyal to all as he worked to his final moments, which should surprise no one. He has found a nice place to rest now, and is waiting for the rest of us to join him under a glorious sunny sky with the true Son and Father.
He is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Dianne; their three sons, Reed (Carol) and children Matthew and Nicole, Greg and children Heidi and Aiden, Jon and children Hudson and Griffin. Four sisters, Shirley Lemons of Colo., Karen (Dennis) Michel of Madison, Betty (Clark) Thompson of Kansas City, Mo, and Tracey (Doug) Smith of Brookings.
Roger was preceded in death by both his parents; and his brother, Gale.
Roger’s wishes were to have a private funeral for immediate family. Services will be held at Osthus Funeral Home Friday, February 15, at 2 pm.
Visit www.osthusfuneral.com
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