Dale Orlando Peterson

Dale Orlando Peterson, age 99, died on Monday, June 30th, 2025 surrounded by family at Woodside Village in Grand Forks, ND.

Dale was born on February 13, 1926 to Oscar and Ella (Goplin) Peterson in Warren, MN. He attended school in Warren until enlisting in the United States Navy at age 17. His WWII service included many battles in the Pacific culminated by the liberation of several POW camps in Japan. Following his discharge in 1946, Dale was a lifelong member of the American Legion.

Dale attended Waldorf College before graduating from Luther College in 1950. He attended theological seminary before working as a youth counselor and parole officer. In 1963, he began working as a lay pastor in the Warren, MN area before being ordained in 1969. Dale married Nadine Anderson on August 1st, 1970 at St. Olaf Lutheran Church in Devils Lake, ND. He served as pastor in Alvarado, MN before moving to Michigan, ND in 1972. He served the Michigan Lutheran and Sarnia United parishes until his retirement in 1991. After moving to Lakota in 1991, he provided pulpit supply to over 40 area churches and nursing homes through 2019.

Throughout his life, Dale enjoyed tuning pianos on the side, a skill he learned from his father. He was a competitive boxer and distance runner in his younger years, enjoyed collecting WWII artifacts, singing as a soloist and in various ensembles, and will be remembered as a prolific whistler.

Dale is survived by his loving wife Nadine, 6 sons; Jeff (Kay), Grand Forks, Greg, Lake Havasu City, AZ, Darren, Apple Valley, MN, Joel (Kristen), Kent, Mark, Grand Forks; grandchildren, Ella, Maia, Shawn, Eric, and Liam. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 5, 2025 at Lakota Lutheran Church, Lakota, ND.

Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, at the church.

Burial will be at The Lakota Cemetery.