Dennis “Pete” Peterson was with his children when he passed away at age 84 on February 9, 2022. He was born on February 18, 1937, to Palmer and Edna (Getting) Peterson in Heron Lake, Minnesota. Pete played football and basketball at Heron Lake High School, where his basketball team went undefeated their senior year in 1956. Following high school, he worked in construction in Minnesota and Arizona before enlisting in the U.S. Army in 1960. Pete was a Specialist E5 for the Medical Corps, stationed first in Paris and then at the 33rd Field Hospital in Fontainebleau, France. He also was a member of the Army basketball team that played throughout Central Europe.
After being discharged in 1963, Pete made his way to Washington, D.C., where he built houses and met Rita Monick, whom he married in May 1968. They honeymooned in the Poconos and started their life together in Erie, Pennsylvania, where they owned a construction business and raised two children, Eric and Kathleen. Pete took up trapshooting in 1973 and became one of the top AA shooters for the Erie County Sportsman League, competing in local, state, national, and North American events in PA, VA, and FL. In 1985, the Petersons moved to Palm Beach Gardens, Florida to be near Rita’s family.
Pete operated Peterson Construction for over 5 decades; he loved working with his hands. He was quick to help anyone in need and enjoyed the opportunity to consult with friends on their own home projects. Pete also worked on his daughter’s houses where he relished teaching his grandchildren the basics of construction. He was a loyal friend, caring husband, and great father who, along with Rita, created a home where friends and their children’s friends were always treated like family.
He is preceded in death by his loving wife of 50 years, Rita, and is survived by his children Eric (Deon Johansen) of Fishersville, Virginia, and Kathleen (Paul) Dean of Alexandria, Virginia; four grandchildren: T.J., Tristan, Austin, and Delaney Dean; his sister Rhea Hotzler of Long Prairie, Minnesota; many nieces and nephews; great nieces and nephews; and a large and loving extended family.
Visitation is Monday, February 14, from 3-6pm, followed by a short service, at Howard-Quattlebaum Funeral Home in North Palm Beach. An interment with military honors will be held at a future date at South Florida National Cemetery in Lake Worth.
