John David Peterson

December 25, 1926 - March 1, 2022

John David Peterson, age 95, went to his heavenly home on March 1, 2022. Born on Christmas Day 1926 in Nevada, Iowa, he grew up on a farm in Story County, Iowa and attended Nevada High School. He was drafted and enlisted in the United States Army in June 1945 and served as a Sergeant Major in Lighorn, Italy, working as a clerk in a station hospital. He returned to the United States on Christmas Eve 1946 and was honorably discharged on February 1, 1947. John later attended the University of Iowa and received a bachelor’s degree in business administration in 1950. He would use that degree with a career in the insurance industry, serving as an executive underwriter, most notably with the Iowa National Mutual Insurance Company. John married his beloved wife, Frieda, on June 11, 1955 in Orlando, Florida. They moved to Cedar Rapids, Iowa later that year where they lived for 30 years and started their family, raising four children. John was a follower of Jesus and served his church in many ways, often serving on the church council in various capacities, assisting with communion, and attending bible studies and men’s groups. He was an avid reader and enjoyed biographies, particularly those involving military leaders from World War II. John was a member of the Masonic Lodge, Optimist Club, Delta Sigma Pi (business fraternity), and Toastmasters. He was also a sports fan, his favorite of which was baseball, and his favorite team was the Chicago Cubs, who he was able to cheer on to a World Series title in 2016. John and Frieda enjoyed traveling after they retired, making trips to Europe, taking cruises, and road trips around the States, as well as visiting their children and grandchildren. He surely would stop early enough where they could enjoy a meal and imbibe with a cocktail or two. John is survived by his wife of sixty-six years, Frieda, his children Gordon Peterson and his husband, Nile Rowan, Laura (Peterson) Haynie and her husband, Stephen Haynie, Steven Peterson and his wife, Shelly Peterson, and Andrew Peterson and his wife, Kim Peterson. He is also survived by seven grandchildren, Erik Peterson, Bradley Peterson, Jack Peterson, Eliza Peterson, Lily Peterson, Sam Peterson, and Ellison Peterson. A memorial service will be held Wednesday, March 9, 2022, at 4:00PM ET at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Winter Park, Florida. He will be inurned at Bushnell National Cemetery at a later date. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to either: Cornerstone Hospice Foundation, 2445 Lane Park Rd, Tavares, FL 32778 (https://cornerstonehospice.org/the-foundation) Redeemer Lutheran Church: http://www.redeemerwp.org Orlando Lutheran Towers Foundation: https://orlandoseniorhealth.org/lutheran-towers-nonprofit-foundation The family of John Peterson invites you to leave a message of condolence on the Tribute Wall created in his loving memory.