Russel Peterson

Russell James Peterson, 81, of Lake Kiowa passed away on Thursday, Feb. 5, 2009. He was born in 1927 in Chicago, Ill. to Carl and Lilabel Peterson. He was married to Helen “Sunny” Peterson and they resided in Lake Kiowa since his retirement in 1998 after moving from their long time residence in Omaha, Neb.

Russell served his country in the United States Navy as a Lt. Commander in both active and reserve capacities for 18 years. He was a graduate of the University of Nebraska and was a certified professional engineer and vice president with Henningson, Durham and Richardson in Omaha.

Rusell and Sunny traveled extensively with his work assignments, including projects in Spain, India, Japan and South Korea. They also lived for extended periods throughout the U.S., including the Watergate in Washington D.C., Santa Barbara, Calif. and Seattle, Wash. working on such projects as the MX Missle Defense System and the Fleet Base for the new Trident Submarine.

Russell is preceded in death by his parents and older brother, James Newell Peterson. He is survived by his devoted wife, Sunny Peterson of Lake Kiowa and a beloved younger sister, Carlene and her husband Bob Siman of McHenry, Ill.

He is also survived by his step-daughter, Christine and her husband Tom Van Doren of Sanger and step-son, Kevin and wife Sherry Miller of Sherwood, Ark. He leaves grandchildren, Russell James and wife Diane Maine of San Diego, Calif., Amanda Dickson of Denton, Adam Van Doren and Andrea Noecker of Denton, Sarah and her husband Jason Ryburn of Denton and Benjamin Van Doren of Lewisville.

He leaves great-grandchildren, Sean and Elissa Maine of San Diego, Calif., Garret and Michaela Dickson of Denton and Vincent Van Doren of Denton. He is also survived by numerous neices and nephews, grand-neices and grand-nephews in Wisconsin, Ill. and California. He also leaves a beloved family friend and first wife, Margaret Peterson, M.D. of Lake Forest, Calif., as well as many caring friends in Wisconsin, Ill., California, Nebraska and Texas.

A memorial service will be held at the Lake Kiowa Club House, on Feb. 22 from 3 to 5 p.m.

Any gifts in lieu of flowers or memorials should be sent to: Home Hospice of Cooke County, P.O. Box 936, Gainesville, TX 76240 or The Smile Train, 28th Floor, 41 Madison Ave., New York, NY 10010.