Richard P Peterson

A Celebration of Life for Richard P. Peterson, age 91, of Norfolk, will be 11:00 a.m., Saturday, September 26, 2020 at Grace Lutheran Church in Norfolk.  A reception will follow the service at the church.  Home for Funerals is in charge of the service.

Richard passed away on March 30, 2020, at Countryside Home in Madison.

Born December 3, 1928, on a farm near Meadow Grove, Nebraska to Milo and Opal Peterson.  In 1944 his parents bought the farm where he lives to this day.  He graduated from Madison High School and then was married to Kathryn Kuhl on May 7, 1950 for 64 years.  Farming and beekeeping were his livelihood in supporting his family.

Richard was active in the community and served on the school board for Enola School and Trinity Lutheran in Madison.  He served in several positions for Trinity Lutheran Church-Madison, and was President of the Madison Chamber of Commerce.

His political career started when he was elected as a State Senator and served for 3 terms from 1980 to 1992.

Several of his accomplishments were getting funds to open a ward at the Regional Center.  He also acquired funding to outfit the State Patrol with new mobile radio's.  He helped get the Fire Training Center in Norfolk built, and introduced a bill that allowed Northeast Community College to buy the Regional Center Property.   Richard also served on the Mental Health Review Board for 20 years.

He was a delegate to the GOP National Convention in 1980 and 1984.

Several interesting items about Richard that most people do not know:

 He was a Nebraska Football season ticket holder for over 55 years.
His love and skill in baseball allowed him to attend the Roger Hornsby Baseball Camp in Hot Springs, AK in 1949 and was offered a minor league baseball contract.
He designed and paid for 4 different billboards located around Norfolk that has Christian and Patriotic messages because that was near to his heart.
He killed three 6 foot long rattlesnakes in Southern Texas.
He trapped raccoons and skunks in his youth.
Worked in the money room at Madison Downs Racetrack.
He was a part-time bailiff for the Madison County Court.
He was always very supportive of Lutheran High Northeast due to the importance of a Christian Education.

Richard is survived by his five children, sons, Mike (Donna) Peterson of Volga, South Dakota, Richard (Constance) Peterson of Nashville, Tennessee, daughters, Sandy (Larry) Harvey of Lincoln, Nebraska, Karen (Robert) Kahler of Aurora, Colorado, Julie (Scott) Fisher of Grand Island, Nebraska.  In addition to grandchildren and great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, Richard's choice of memorial is Canine Companions for Independence, (Service Dogs).   A donation can be made by mail, phone and/or online.   The telephone # is 866.224.3647, by mail...Canine Companions for Independence, P.O. Box 446, Santa Rosa, CA 95402-0446...Please make checks payable to:  Canine Companions for Independence...online website...cci.org.  Also memorials can be sent to the family at this address...Richard Peterson Memorial, 3231 Sherman Place, Lincoln, NE 68506.

His Christian faith and love of the LORD has led him to heaven to be with his precious wife "Kay"!!

The family of Richard Peterson wishes to thank everyone for sharing your condolences. 

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