"We thought a lot of your dad and his kindness. Know he will be missed by his family and friends. You are all in our prayers."
In loving memory of
Delpho Peterson
April 29, 2013
The Reverend Delpho Peter Delores Peterson, age 90 years, entered his eternal reward with Jesus Christ on Monday morning, April 29, 2013, dying from old age and the effects of Parkinson's disease which had taken a destructive toll on his ability to walk and speak -- but not on his mind, nor on his spirit, nor on the strength of his hands, nor on his appetite! Delpho died in his bed at River Hills Village nursing home in Keokuk, Iowa, where he had been living since 2008, just a few minutes after a conversation with a nurse about no longer needing his oxygen mask in heaven.
Delpho was the second of nine children, born 11:05pm on February 27, 1923, to Alf and Florence (Lindahl) Peterson, in the living room of the house built by his father on the family farm near Hallock, Minnesota. He was baptized into the Christian faith at Red River Lutheran Church on March 25th of that year, and confirmed there at age 14. Delpho graduated from Hallock High School in 1942, and continued working on the family farm prior to enlisting in the United States Army at Ft. Snelling, Minnesota, on July 22, 1944. Corporal Delpho Peterson served in World War II with the 87th Division for 41/2 months in Germany, France, Belgium, and Luxembourg, earning the Victory Medal, American Theater Ribbon, European-African-Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon with 2 Bronze Battle Stars, Army of Occupation Medal--Germany, and a Good Conduct Medal, with honorable discharge July 1, 1946. Delpho returned to Minnesota and first enrolled in Lutheran Bible Institute, then in Gustavus Adolphus College, St. Peter, Minnesota, where he met Phyllis G. Swedberg. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Gustavus in June 1950, and married Phyllis two months later in Wheaton, Minnesota, before heading off as a newly married couple to Augustana Theological Seminary in Rock Island, Illinois, graduating with a Bachelor of Divinity in 1954, and ordained by the Augustana Lutheran Church Synod that summer in Los Angeles, California. Delpho and Phyllis raised a family of seven children throughout the next 31/2 decades.
With Phyllis always by his side as administrator and secretary, Delpho pastored Saron Lutheran/St. James Lutheran in Saronville/Edgar, Nebraska (1954-1957); Faith Lutheran, Marcus, Iowa (1957-1963); Emanuel Lutheran, Dayton, Iowa (1963-1979); First Lutheran, Keokuk, Iowa (1979-1988); and as a part-time outreach pastor, Trinity Lutheran, Bradenton, Florida (1990-1995). Delpho genuinely loved and deeply cared for the people God called him to serve in every one of these church parishes. He faithfully preached God's Word every week for more than three decades -- always a new, fresh sermon every Sunday. Delpho also became a published Christian author in 2001, with "Lessons For Life -- How You Can Joyfully, Peacefully, Live Forever!"
Delpho and Phyllis led several tour groups to the Holy Land, and were both very involved in Cursillo, a 3-day Christian training and renewal event. Delpho grew up with Swedish being spoken in his home and church, and also loved eating lutefisk by the serving bowl full, coin collecting, fishing, wood carving, playing the card game Rook (but not always by the rules!), time in Florida during the winter months -- and always his grandkids.
Delpho was preceded in death by his parents, Alf (1981) and Florence (1980); by his brother Ray (1992); his sister Doris (2004); his wife Phyllis (2003); his son Timothy (2011); and his grandson Jonathan (2008). Survivors include his siblings Daniel (Mary Ellen), Spokane WA; Philip (Marlyce), Hallock MN; Violet Dahlgren, Plymouth MN; Eunice Folland (Ivan), Owatonna MN; Alice Joy Johnson, Lake Havasu City AZ; and Dian Erickson (Elsworth), St.Paul MN; his children/grandchildren Roger (Melanie; Rachel & Matthew), Minneapolis MN; Dean (Diane; Alison, Jack, & Sam), Scottsdale AZ; Pamela Kelly (Mike; Alaina, Bradley, & Nicole), Keokuk IA; David (Lot; Miki, Jackie, & Nathan), Huntington Beach CA; Lori Duppstadt (Ric; Alex, Preston, & Brandon), Mansfield TX; and Joel (Heidi; Annika & Eliana), Arlington TX; and several dozen nieces and nephews.
A celebration of his life will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, May 4, 2013 at Fist Lutheran Church in Keokuk, Iowa with Rev. Rodney Underwood officiating. Burial will be at a later date at Keokuk National Cemetery in Keokuk, Iowa.
Visitation will be Friday, May 3, 2013 at DeJong-Greaves Celebration of Life Center 917 Blondeau Street, Keokuk, IA and friends and family will gather from 5:00 to 8:00 pm.
Memorials may be given to the "Delpho Peterson Memorial Fund" and all gifts received will be allocated between Delpho's home church, Parkinson's research, and Christian missions (c/o Pamela Kelly, 1712 Concert St., Keokuk IA 52632).
Tributes
"Everytime that I visited River Hills I would have to go over to Delpho's table because he was watching and waving. I thought if I patted his back I might escape a crushing handshake, but nope, he got me on the way in and often on the way out! Shaking hands doesn't mean what it used to, but it did to Delpho. I look forward to that same greeting when I see him in heaven. Great will be his reward."
"Delpho was a favorite resident of mine at River Hills. I will miss seeing his shining blue eyes and his waves as we left the room. He was truly a joy to take care of!!! No more oxygen Delpho! We love you!!!"
"Many wonderful memories of Delpho & Phyllis while they lived and served our congregation in Dayton. Among our memories are our trip with Delpho as our tour leader when we went to Israel in 1977 and working with Phyllis in the Cursillo movement in late 1970's and through the 1980's. The family will be in our prayers in the difficult days ahead, as they adjust to a life without their parents. God bless all of you."
"We were on the call committee in 1979 and first met Pastor and Phyllis in Dayton. Our congregation was blessed beyond words for their ministry. They personified the love and graciousness of our Lord to us and our community. They were truly loved."
"There was no kinder, gentler man than Pastor Delpho. He was a quintessential minister showing his commitment to Christ by how he lived his life as a pastor and as a human being. 30 years ago when my father died unexpectedly Pastor Peterson graciously did the funeral though he'd never met my dad. We remember him baptizing our youngest daughter just before his retirement. He and Phyllis were invited to a backyard dinner after the ceremony and we were all surprised to see them coming from the back door of our neighbors. It seems Pastor thought he had the right place even though Phyllis said "Are you sure this is their house Delpho?" We were very humbled that even though they were both in poor health they made the long trip to Ames for our oldest daughter's wedding. It was my pleasure to work with Pastor as a council member and youth group leader. He always gave a person confidence and made them feel that what they were doing was worthwhile, meaningful and appreciated. He will be missed by our whole family. "
"Though I have only know Reverend Peterson for a short time(4 years). I have come to think a lot of him. I know he must of been a great man to have raised such a great family . He will be greatly missed by his R.H.V. family. Thoughts and prayers to his lovely family. I'm sure he is rejoicing in the day the lord has made with his family that was waiting at Heaven's gate for him. "