Gordon David Peterson

Gordon David Peterson was born on June 5, 1952, in Clarkfield, MN, the third child of Gordon D. and Myra (Lynner) Peterson.

G. David was an active Boy Scout who achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. He continued with scouting as an adult and accompanied scouts from the Mid-Iowa Council to Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico and the Boundary Waters in Minnesota. 

G. David graduated from Clarkfield High School in 1970. He earned a BA from Southwest Minnesota State University, Marshall, MN in 1975, where he was Vice President for Student Activities for the Student Association, sang in the choir and went on the 1972 European Choir Tour. He later served on the Alumni Board of Directors.

G. David started his career in the hospitality industry with Ramada Inns in Bloomington and St. Paul, MN and then Des Moines, IA. He managed Gianni’s Restaurant in Des Moines and then became Regional Sales Director for Hawkeye National Life Insurance Company and an independent life insurance agent for the rest of his career. 

G. David was a member of Lutheran Church of Hope, West Des Moines and especially active with the Wednesday Morning Men’s Group (formerly called PIGS). He was a Master Mason belonging to Gnemeth Lodge #577 in Valley Junction, a charter member of Legacy Lodge #678 in Des Moines, and the Des Moines Valley Scottish Rite.

G. David was an avid cyclist, a scuba diving instructor, and enjoyed playing whist and backgammon. Many years he won the Blue Ribbon for backgammon at the Iowa State Fair. He loved his Norwegian heritage and did considerable work on the family genealogy.

G. David died peacefully at the age of 71 at the Bishop Drumm Retirement Center in Johnston, IA. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Kristine of West Des Moines, IA; his mother, Myra Peterson; and his siblings, John L. Peterson (Brenda) of Lexington, KY; Mary Lee Peterson of Minneapolis, MN; Thomas Peterson (Pam) of Appleton, WI; Paul Peterson (Patti) of Rochester, MN; and Naomi Peterson of Clarkfield, MN. He also leaves three nephews, Erik Peterson, Evan Peterson, Jordan Peterson (Shawna); his aunt, Lois Lynner and two cousins, Lori Lynner Skrien and John Lynner; and his goddaughter, Megan Stone.

He was preceded in death by his father, Gordon; his uncle, Jack Lynner; and his cousin-in-law, Dr. Gary Skrien, with whom he enjoyed a very close relationship. 

A Masonic funeral was held at Gnemeth Lodge on August 5, 2023.

Donations in G.David's memory can be made to Mid-Iowa Council - Boy Scouts of America or to the family for a future designation.

The family thanks the Bishop Drumm staff and UnityPoint Hospice for their loving care and support.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Gordon David Peterson, please visit our floral store.