Erik Daniel Peterson

Erik Daniel Peterson, 92, Jamestown, North Dakota died Wednesday, February 28, 2007 at Hi-Acres Manor Nursing Home in Jamestown.

Mr. Peterson was born at Stockholm, Sweden on December 11, 1914. He came to the United States with his parents, Gunner and Anna (Danielson) Peterson, when he was 7 years old. Erik attended Jamestown schools and graduated from Jamestown College in 1937 with a Math major. He attended the University of Minnesota for one semester, transferred to UND at Grand Forks, ND, where he received a Civil Engineering degree in 1939.

He worked at Wheaton, MN with the US Army Engineers, then moved to the State Highway Dept. in ND. In 1941 he moved to Detroit, Michigan and then to Joliet, IL, working as Assistant Engineer inspecting construction work.

Erik enlisted in the US Navy in April 1944. He attended Princeton University Indoctrination School for 8 weeks, General Ord. School at the Navy Yard, Washington, D.C. for 9 weeks, Gunnery Mech. School in Pontiac, MI for 6 weeks. Erik Peterson, Ensign, was commissioned Gunnery Officer on the USS ISM 195 at Princeton, New Jersey. He served in the South Pacific, where his ship was sunk by a Japanese attack. The survivors were rescued after about 12 hours in the water. Erik received a Bronze Star Medal for his courageous work in the abandoning of the ship. He was honorably discharged in April 1946.

Erik returned to Jamestown and served as City Engineer from 1945 to September of 1958. He then served the State Hospital as Chief Engineer from 1958 to 1980.

Erik married Inez Iverson in 1939. They are the parents of a daughter, Dianne, who married Bruce Ohland; they live in Pequot Lakes, MN, their children are Kristen and her husband, John Emery; and their children, Zachary and Hanna; they live in the Fort Worth, Texas area. Grandson Mike Ohland and his wife, Shannon, and their son, Jack, live in Andover, MN.

In 1979, Erik married Verna Krueger Moser Peterson. Step families are LeRoy and Gloria Moser, Jamestown; their sons, Justin of Gwinner, ND and Jeffrey of Bismarck, ND; Brenda Moser Deery of Jamestown and Dennice Deery, granddaughter in Seattle, WA.

Erik was a life member of the following: National Society of Professional Engineers, North Dakota Society of Professional Engineers; El Zagal Temple Shriners; American Public Works Association and the Elks. He was also a member of NDPEA; Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the American Legion.

Erik was very active in sports. During high school, he was a letterman all four years in football, basketball and tennis. He won conference football crown 1933, 1934 and 1935. He won conference basketball crown in 1934-35 and 1935-36. He won all conference honors in basketball and football. He teamed with Al Schauer to win conference tennis doubles crown in 1934, 1935 and 1936 and with Bill Dressler in 1937. He won conference tennis singles in 1937 and placed second to Al Schauer in 1934, 1935 and 1936. Golf was his passion in his later years. He played golf in North Dakota during the summer months and in Arizona during the winter for over 20 years.

Erik is survived by his wife, Verna; daughter, Dianne and family; LeRoy Moser and family; and Brenda Deery and her family. Erik is also survived by progeny of both is parents in Sweden and a cousin's widow in California.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Inez, who died in 1967; his parents; and his Aunt Selma Nelson and her son.

A memorial service will be held in May 2007 at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Jamestown with Pastor John Syvertson officiating.