Ernest “Corky” Peterson, age 83, of Sioux Rapids, Iowa, died on Wednesday, June 18,2014, at the Avera McKennan Hospital at Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Funeral services will be held Monday, June 23, 2014 at 10:30 a.m. at the First United Church in Sioux Rapids. Burial will be in the Lone Tree Cemetery in Sioux Rapids. Visitation will take place Sunday, June 22, 2014 from 3-6:00 p.m. at the Sliefert Funeral Home in Sioux Rapids. The Sliefert Funeral Home in Sioux Rapids is in charge of the arrangements.

Ernest Clair Peterson, the son of Carl and Edna (Stevenson) Peterson, was born in Cushing, Iowa on July 5, 1930. At the age of five, Corky moved with his family to Larrabee, Iowa where he lived his youth and received his education. He was a 1948 graduate of the Larrabee High School. Corky faithfully served his country in the United States Navy during the Korean Conflict serving from July 10, 1951 until his honorable discharge on May 27, 1955.

On August 31, 1956, Corky was united in marriage to Doris Yungschlager in Calumet, Iowa. Together, they were blessed with four children: Claire, Tim, Scott, and Lisa. Following their marriage, the Peterson’s farmed in Larrabee and Aurelia before moving to their farm near Rembrandt, Iowa where they resided for 44 years. When they retired, they moved to their current acreage northwest of Sioux Rapids.

Corky will be remembered as an avid reader and in his retirement, he enjoyed vegetable and flower gardening, making sure everything was planted in perfect rows. He was a member of the First United Church of Sioux Rapids and the American Legion.

Corky’s life will always be celebrated and honored by his family which include his wife, Doris of Sioux Rapids, Iowa; his children: Claire and Bill Sloan of Austin, Texas; Tim and Teresa Peterson of Rembrandt, Iowa; Scott Peterson of Storm Lake, Iowa; Lisa and Louis Garcia of Clear Lake Shores, Texas; two grandchildren: Jennifer (Jason) Knapton of Storm Lake and Bradley Peterson of Ankeny, Iowa; great granddaughter, Miriam “Miri” Knapton; three brothers: Gilbert (Norma) Peterson of Phoenix, Arizona; Clarence Peterson of Sioux City, Iowa; and Ralph (Dottie) Peterson of Park City, Kansas; sister, Jeri (Louis) Hammer of Pocahontas, Iowa; other extended family and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers: Elmo, Pete, and Karl; and five sisters: Sally, Bernette, Roberta, Jean, and Nellie.

Blessed be the memory of Ernest Clair “Corky” Peterson.