Richard Peterson

Richard “Dick” Peterson, age 84, of Belle Plaine, passed away on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at The Emeralds of St. Paul. A memorial service for Dick will be Tuesday, December 23, 2025, at St. John Lutheran Church in Belle Plaine at 11 a.m. with Pastor Sherri Otto, officiating. Visitation will be Monday, December 22, 2025, at Kolden Funeral Home in Belle Plaine from 4-7 p.m. and will resume one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will occur after the service at Oakwood Cemetery.

Dick was born on January 19, 1941, to Gilbert and Della (Beckstrom) Peterson in St. James. After school, Dick became a teacher; first for 5th and 6th grade and later became the district reading director for all grades.

Dick met Jean Cunningham and they were wed on September 25, 1959, at Galena Lutheran Church in Ormsby. They had two children, Todd and Laurie.

Dick is survived by his wife, Jean; son, Todd; son-in-law Joey Behnke; grandchildren Anthony Rivera, Seth Peterson, and Madelyn Peterson; and great-granddaughter Cadence.

He is preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Laurie Behnke; and sister, Carol Ann.