Dayton Orrin Peterson

Dayton Orrin Peterson, age 84, of Grove City, MN, passed away at his home on October 31, 2025. A memorial service will be held on Monday, November 10, 2025, at 11:00 AM at Trinity Lutheran Church in Grove City. A visitation will be held on Sunday, November 9, 2025, from 4:00 to 6:00 PM at Trinity Lutheran Church in Grove City and will continue one hour prior to service. Interment will be at Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery in Grove City, MN.

Dayton Orrin Peterson was born on September 6, 1941 to Orrin and Anna (Weber) Peterson in Litchfield, MN. He was baptized and confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Grove City, MN. Dayton graduated from Grove City High School in 1959. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree at Saint Cloud State University earning an accounting degree. Dayton worked as a certified public accountant in Minneapolis before returning to Grove City in 1971 to take over the family school bus business. He owned and operated Dayton’s Bus Service until his retirement in 2001.

Dayton was united in marriage to Karen Larson on July 22, 1961 in Grove City. They made their home in the Twin Cities before returning to Grove City. Their marriage was blessed with two boys, Michael and Craig. Dayton and Karen were avid bicyclists and had many biking adventures together, including a ride along the northern Pacific Coast Highway. In retirement, they wintered in Mission, Texas.

Dayton was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Grove City and later Trinity Lutheran Church in Grove City. Dayton was very active in the Grove City community. He volunteered in the Grove City Fire Department, serving for a time as Fire Chief. He served on the Grove City Council and was a long-time member of the Grove City Rod and Gun Club. He also served in the US Army Reserve. Dayton was a very gifted singer. He was a member of the 4 plus 1 musical group, church choir, and several barbershop quartets throughout the years. He was an excellent cribbage player and was always up for a quick game. Even his great-grandchildren learned to play cribbage with Grandpa Dayton. He was an avid hunter and cherished his time spent at “the land” hunting with his son, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Dayton had a small obsession with golf and was always working on perfecting his game. He took great pride in keeping a meticulous lawn and always made sure the birds were fed. The binoculars had a permanent place at his kitchen table for bird watching.

Dayton is survived by his wife Karen Peterson of Grove City; son Michael (Debra) Peterson of Grove City; grandchildren Shawnna (Jay) Rude of Grand Rapids, Jen (Brian) Kingery of Olivia, and Jeffrey (Molly) Peterson of Grove City; great-grandchildren Lincoln, Violet, Liv, Mya, Harper, Max and Gibson.

He was preceded in death by his son Craig; parents Orrin and Anna; sister Jackie DeRudder and brother Ed Parsons.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Grove City CARE program.