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Wayne Keith Peterson, age 86, died on Saturday, January 16, 2021, at the Elkader Care Center.\u00a0 He was born on June 14, 1934, to Thomas and Mabel (Bergan) Peterson in rural St. Olaf, Iowa.\u00a0 He attended school at Wagner Township Center School and Elkader High School graduating in 1952. \u00a0He was a lifelong member of Norway Lutheran Church where he was baptized and confirmed.<\/p>\n
After graduation, Wayne worked on the family farm until October 1954, when he entered the United States Air Force and was accepted in the Aviation Cadet Program in Texas.\u00a0 He graduated in March 1956, as a Second Lieutenant with a rating of Navigator.<\/p>\n
On August 4, 1957, Wayne was united in marriage with Bernadine Seifert at Peace Church in Elkader, Iowa.\u00a0 They were married for 63 years.\u00a0 Wayne and Bernadine began their military life together and served in various locations including Missouri, Michigan, California, Massachusetts, and New York, making sure to dip their toes in both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.\u00a0 During this time their daughter Susan and son Kent were born. \u00a0Wayne had a love of navigation and the stars and was proud of navigating to Spain as his first international assignment in the era before computerized instruments and GPS.\u00a0 Wayne flew in B-47\u2019s and B-52\u2019s and served assignments in Vietnam and Guam.\u00a0 In October 1974, Wayne retired from the Air Force as a Lt. Colonel having served 20 years; his highest award received was the bronze star.<\/p>\n
After retiring from the Air Force, Wayne and his family moved back to the St. Olaf area and started farming.\u00a0 Wayne had been planning his return to farming throughout his military career.\u00a0 He enjoyed the freedom and hard work of farm life and living in the country.\u00a0 After retiring from his second career as a farmer, Wayne and Bernadine spent the winters in Green Valley, Arizona.<\/p>\n
Wayne is survived by his wife Bernadine, daughter Susan Peterson, and daughter in law Barbara Peterson.\u00a0 He is also survived by his nieces and nephews; Alan Peterson, Darrell Peterson, Dennis Peterson, Darlene Wood, Julie Schlake, Steve Eggimann, Kathy Lane, Debi Keppler, and Nancy Teppen.<\/p>\n
Preceding Wayne in death were his parents Thomas and Mabel, sisters Ruth Ann Peterson and Mavis Peterson, brother Harold Peterson, nephew Arlen Peterson, and son Kent Peterson.<\/p>\n
A public graveside service with full Military Honors will be held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, January 20, 2021, at Norway Lutheran Cemetery, rural St. Olaf. Rev. Marshall Hahn will officiate.<\/p>\n