Rollin Peterson, 89

Our beloved father, husband, grandfather and great-grandfather passed away peacefully on Feb. 10, 2021. Rollin Peterson, 89, was born in New Douglas, Ill., Dec. 7, 1931. He was raised outside of New Douglas on one of the Peterson's farms.

Rollin joined the United States Navy in 1951 and served during the Korean War. His Naval career took him around the Pacific and Atlantic on the USS Pittsburgh (small battle wagon) as a boiler operator. While in the Navy, he married the love of his life, Donna, on June 26, 1954.

Rollin and Donna were friends from church in Hartford, Ill., until she and her girlfriends threw a welcome home party for Rollin and his friend when they returned home from boot camp. That night, Rollin took Donna to Bendal, Ill., to a dance hall, where Rollin first asked Donna to be his girlfriend. They were blessed with 62 years of marriage. Rollin and Donna moved to Spokane, Wash. from San Diego when he got out of the Navy in 1955. In 1961, they moved to Medical Lake, Wash., where they raised their family. In Dec. 2000, they moved to Rathdrum, Idaho, where they spent the last 16 years enjoying their retirement and each other’s company.

Rollin retired from Fairchild Air Force Base (FAFB) as a steamfitter (civil service worker) after 41 years. During his time as a steamfitter on FAFB, he was awarded the Medal of Valor for saving a co-worker (and friend's) life from a ditch that caved in. While he was working as a steamfitter, he went to Shemya Air Force Base in Shemya, Alaska, for a year, to return to FAFB to retire.

Rollin lived to hunt and hunted to live. There wasn't a weekend that went by that he wasn't hunting, fishing or camping with his family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Freeland and Bessie Peterson; his wife, Donna Peterson; son, Randal Peterson; and two brothers, Eugene Peterson and Luther Peterson.

Rollin is survived by his son, Bruce Peterson (Terri Peterson); daughter, Jodie Peterson (Jerry Smith); sister, Constance Knaggs; brother, Johnny Peterson; and nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at Grace Baptist Church in Post Falls, Idaho, with Dr. David Lake officiating. Service will be for the family, congregation of Grace Baptist Church, and by invitation only.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Hospice of North Idaho, 2290 W. Prairie Ave., Coeur d'Alene, ID 83815. Please view and sign Rollin's online guest book at www.englishfuneralchapel.com