Patrick Edward Peterson
May 14, 1958 — September 19, 2023
Patrick “Pep” Peterson, 65, of Central City, Iowa, died Tuesday, September 19, 2023, at Mercy Medical Center in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, due to injuries from a fall. Visitation: Saturday, September 23, 2023, at 9 a.m., at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Services in Marion, with funeral services at 10 a.m. Burial following at Oak Shade Cemetery in Marion.
Pep was born in Cedar Rapids to Francis “Pete” and Patricia Anne (Mally) Peterson. He graduated from Marion High School in 1976 and married Carol Lynn Hawes on October 8, 1983.
Life came fast for Pep, a name derived from his initials and as unique as himself. When his father was injured at work, he began working at the packing house in the morning, before school, and trapping as a means to help support his family. He made quite a name for himself with his trapping skills. In his later years, however, he carried a lot of guilt due to his role at the packinghouse and vowed he’d never kill another animal. In his last forty years thousands of spiders were caught and released, hundreds of sleepy, sunbathing snakes were rescued from the middle of the highway.
He was a proud millwright of local #2158, a career that took him many places. He enjoyed his role as a foreman, especially teaching the trade to apprentices.
In their early years of marriage, he and his wife lived on a pig farm, creating some of their best lifelong memories. He moved to Central City in 1989, “the closest faraway place.” He and his wife restored their home by themselves. He remained there the rest of his life and it was his paradise. There was no place he’d rather be. Though he referred to himself as a “recluse” in his later years, he enjoyed his post-retirement routine, appointing himself the Mayor of county park, Wakipacada.
Pep was outspoken about the past and present mistreatment of Native peoples. He enjoyed learning about their culture and educating others.
He was preceded in death by his parents and father-in-law, Bill Hawes; his older brothers, Skip and Jerry Peterson; and many friends. The loss of his brothers had taken a lot of him over the last 8 years, as if parts of him joined them and it is comforting to know they are now reunited.
He is survived by his wife of 40 years and daughter, Sarah (Zach) Graves, both of Central City; two granddaughters, Macynn and Marlowe Graves; siblings, Joe and Pam Peterson; his beloved man’s best friend, Kaiser; along with many nieces and nephews and close friends that he checked in with on a near daily basis.
Pep was one of a kind. He knew random facts about almost anything, he took Millwright to heart and could literally fix everything. Between writing, cooking, and gardening, there wasn’t anything he didn’t excel at. Above all, he loved helping people and wanted to change lives, help carry weight for people. There will be no better guardian angel.
Please share a memory of Pep at www.murdochfuneralhome.com under obituaries.
Pep was born in Cedar Rapids to Francis “Pete” and Patricia Anne (Mally) Peterson. He graduated from Marion High School in 1976 and married Carol Lynn Hawes on October 8, 1983.
Life came fast for Pep, a name derived from his initials and as unique as himself. When his father was injured at work, he began working at the packing house in the morning, before school, and trapping as a means to help support his family. He made quite a name for himself with his trapping skills. In his later years, however, he carried a lot of guilt due to his role at the packinghouse and vowed he’d never kill another animal. In his last forty years thousands of spiders were caught and released, hundreds of sleepy, sunbathing snakes were rescued from the middle of the highway.
He was a proud millwright of local #2158, a career that took him many places. He enjoyed his role as a foreman, especially teaching the trade to apprentices.
In their early years of marriage, he and his wife lived on a pig farm, creating some of their best lifelong memories. He moved to Central City in 1989, “the closest faraway place.” He and his wife restored their home by themselves. He remained there the rest of his life and it was his paradise. There was no place he’d rather be. Though he referred to himself as a “recluse” in his later years, he enjoyed his post-retirement routine, appointing himself the Mayor of county park, Wakipacada.
Pep was outspoken about the past and present mistreatment of Native peoples. He enjoyed learning about their culture and educating others.
He was preceded in death by his parents and father-in-law, Bill Hawes; his older brothers, Skip and Jerry Peterson; and many friends. The loss of his brothers had taken a lot of him over the last 8 years, as if parts of him joined them and it is comforting to know they are now reunited.
He is survived by his wife of 40 years and daughter, Sarah (Zach) Graves, both of Central City; two granddaughters, Macynn and Marlowe Graves; siblings, Joe and Pam Peterson; his beloved man’s best friend, Kaiser; along with many nieces and nephews and close friends that he checked in with on a near daily basis.
Pep was one of a kind. He knew random facts about almost anything, he took Millwright to heart and could literally fix everything. Between writing, cooking, and gardening, there wasn’t anything he didn’t excel at. Above all, he loved helping people and wanted to change lives, help carry weight for people. There will be no better guardian angel.
Please share a memory of Pep at www.murdochfuneralhome.com under obituaries.
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