Calvin Peterson
February 22, 1943 — December 13, 2023
Calvin "Cal" Ray Peterson was born February 22, 1943, in Vermillion, South Dakota, to Clarence and Zelia (Scott) Peterson. Calvin was baptized and confirmed at Saint Paul Lutheran Church in Burbank, South Dakota. He attended Rockfield School in Clay County from 1st - 8th grade, and graduated with the class of 1961 from Alcester High School in South Dakota .
After High School, Cal went to work for a concrete construction company. While working, a load of concrete dropped on him and crushed his pelvis. He stayed in the hospital for a month recuperating. After this he decided concrete maybe wasn't his forte and went on to asphalt. In 1964, Cal moved to Harlan, Iowa and started his career at Western Engineering. He was highly respected and very talented. He taught many his love of the trade, even his son Chad followed in his footsteps. Cal worked for a couple of different asphalt companies through the years, but Western Engineering always held a special place in his heart.
In his spare time, Cal enjoyed restoring antique tractors, tinkering in the garage, collecting coins and spending time with family and friends. Cal could fix or "MacGyver" anything. He also enjoyed shooting guns and was quite the sharpshooter, the grandkids loved to watch him make cans "dance" across the yard. Cal's favorite outdoor pastime was fishing. His favorite was his trips to Canada the "Lake of the Woods."
Cal touched a lot of lives in his 80 years. He was the kind of guy to offer you the shirt off his back, help you fix anything you needed and offer to buy you a cold beverage. Cal never knew a stranger and anyone that knew him was aware of his ability to tell an excellent story.
Cal "Grandpa Pete" was proud of his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. They loved going to visit him because they would always come home with a "treasure" sometimes a flashlight, real silver silverware or a very large hunting knife.
Calvin passed away peacefully at Myrtue Medical Center in Harlan, Iowa on Wednesday, December 13, 2023. He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother who died at birth, David Lee, brother in-law, Richard Rahn; and a nephew, Brian Rahn, niece Angie Montgomery.
Left to cherish his memory include two children, his son Chad Peterson of Harlan; daughter Laura "Lori" and her husband Dana Jahn of Manilla; four grandchildren, Chris Jahn, Clark (Chelsea) Jahn, Jacob (Amber) Schechinger, Laci (Mitch) Kane; seven great grandchildren, Shane Beogher, Keagan Schiltz, Caelix Jahn, Cobie Jahn, Calvin Schechinger, Ira Schechinger, Jaelyn Kane; sisters, Jan Rahn, Kay Cota, brother, Leroy (Sheri) Peterson.
After High School, Cal went to work for a concrete construction company. While working, a load of concrete dropped on him and crushed his pelvis. He stayed in the hospital for a month recuperating. After this he decided concrete maybe wasn't his forte and went on to asphalt. In 1964, Cal moved to Harlan, Iowa and started his career at Western Engineering. He was highly respected and very talented. He taught many his love of the trade, even his son Chad followed in his footsteps. Cal worked for a couple of different asphalt companies through the years, but Western Engineering always held a special place in his heart.
In his spare time, Cal enjoyed restoring antique tractors, tinkering in the garage, collecting coins and spending time with family and friends. Cal could fix or "MacGyver" anything. He also enjoyed shooting guns and was quite the sharpshooter, the grandkids loved to watch him make cans "dance" across the yard. Cal's favorite outdoor pastime was fishing. His favorite was his trips to Canada the "Lake of the Woods."
Cal touched a lot of lives in his 80 years. He was the kind of guy to offer you the shirt off his back, help you fix anything you needed and offer to buy you a cold beverage. Cal never knew a stranger and anyone that knew him was aware of his ability to tell an excellent story.
Cal "Grandpa Pete" was proud of his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. They loved going to visit him because they would always come home with a "treasure" sometimes a flashlight, real silver silverware or a very large hunting knife.
Calvin passed away peacefully at Myrtue Medical Center in Harlan, Iowa on Wednesday, December 13, 2023. He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother who died at birth, David Lee, brother in-law, Richard Rahn; and a nephew, Brian Rahn, niece Angie Montgomery.
Left to cherish his memory include two children, his son Chad Peterson of Harlan; daughter Laura "Lori" and her husband Dana Jahn of Manilla; four grandchildren, Chris Jahn, Clark (Chelsea) Jahn, Jacob (Amber) Schechinger, Laci (Mitch) Kane; seven great grandchildren, Shane Beogher, Keagan Schiltz, Caelix Jahn, Cobie Jahn, Calvin Schechinger, Ira Schechinger, Jaelyn Kane; sisters, Jan Rahn, Kay Cota, brother, Leroy (Sheri) Peterson.
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