Gordon Dean Peterson, 88, of Austin died Monday, Jan. 9, 2012, at St. Marys Hospital in Rochester.

He was born March 25, 1923 in Crosby, Minn., to Peter and Elena (Mathieson) Peterson. He graduated from Crosby High School in 1941 and then attended college for one year. Gordon served his country in World War II in the Marine Corps from 1943-1945. The operations he took part in were in Kwajalein, Roi-Namur, Saipan, Guam, Tinian, Iwo Jima, and Enewetak. He was awarded the Bronze Star and Saipan Medallion. On Feb. 24, 1946, he married Arlene Georgia Fett at Grace Lutheran Church in Austin. He worked as a livestock buyer for Hormel Foods Corporation, retiring in 1984. Gordon was a member of Grace Lutheran Church and the Eagles Club. He served as mayor of West Concord, president of ARC in Dodge County, president of Trinity Lutheran in West Concord and Our Savior’s Lutheran, LaPorte City, Iowa. He liked to fish, garden, cook, and especially enjoyed traveling up north. He greatly enjoyed his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Survivors include his wife, Arlene of Austin; son, Rev. Dr. Gordon (Cathie) Peterson of Overland Park, Kan.; daughters, Stevanna (Dennis) Myers of Marshfield, Wis., and Susan Myer of Plainview, Minn.; five grandchildren Thomas (Stephanie) Riggle, Tami (Ray) Schneider, Patrick (Nicole) Myers, Kirstin (Thane) Douglas, Sonja Peterson; eight great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Peter and Elena; daughter, Tanya; four brothers; three sisters.

Memorial services will be 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 14, 2012, at Grace Lutheran Church in Austin, with Rev. Tilman Bergman officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Interment will be in Grandview Cemetery with military rites by American Legion Post 91. Memorials can be directed to Grace Lutheran Church or donor’s choice. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com.

Services prearranged and performed by Worlein Funeral Home of Austin.