Alan (Merle) Peterson

Alan Peterson, 75, of rural Crystal Lake/Britt, IA, died, Monday, March 9, 2026, at his home. Public visitation will be Thursday, March 12, 2026, at the Andrews Funeral Home, 516 1St St. S.E., Belmond, from 4:30-7:00 PM.  Public funeral service will be Friday at 1 PM, at the St. John Lutheran Church, 302 2nd Street, Woden, IA, with visitation from noon to 1 PM at the church Friday.  The Rev. John Heille will be officiating.  Full military honors will follow the funeral services at the church. The funeral service will be live streamed on the Andrews Funeral Home Facebook page, just LIKE the page to view.  Those wishing to express their sympathies through a card or memorial in Alan's memory direct them in care of his family %Shirlee Peterson, 1240 300th Street, Britt, IA 50421, or to the donor's wishes.       Merle Alan Peterson, the son of Lauretz and Della Peterson, was born April 27, 1950, at Mason City, IA. He grew up in the Goodell and Belmond areas, and he was baptized and confirmed at the St. Olaf Lutheran Church west of Belmond.  Alan attended Belmond Community Schools and graduated from Belmond High School in the Class of 1968. He was united in marriage to Tuddie Cobb and though the marriage wasn't permanent, the union had been blessed with three daughters: Tracy, Terri and Tina.       Alan proudly served his country in the United State Army for a total of 8 years active duty and was always much a man of patriotism and honor. During his military tenure he spent time station at Camp Casey in Korea along the DOZ, Colorado and in Washington State.  He responsibilities included Army Medic, Vet Tech and as a Vehicle Recovery Specialist.       After returning to civilian life, he was united in marriage to Shirlee Brown on December 20, 1980, at the Little Brown Church, Nashua, IA.  The couple's marriage brought the gift of three sons: Scott, Daniel, and Steven into the world.       Alan was employed from 1979 until 1995 with Chuck McLaughlin's dairy farm in rural Hancock County as a Dairy Herdsman milking the dairy cattle, along with performing other tasks on the farm.  Upon retiring from the farm in 1995 he purchase the acreage he had been living at up until the time of his passing from the McLaughlin's where he and Shirlee raised their boys.  Al went to work at Winnebago Industries in Forest City after retiring from the farm and worked in the sawmill department there for many years before retirement in 2015.       Alan loved the simple pleasures of life being a husband, dad, grandpa and enjoyed family get togethers with his siblings, their families and countless friends.  In the early years of his sons lives he had been both a Boy Scout and 4-H Leader.  He had a fondness and lifelong appreciation for Arabian horses.This was just part of the puzzle of Alan's life as he loved classic country western music and had looked forward to attending fairs, community events and celebrations, that often-had musical acts to his liking along with various concerts that he and Shirlee had attended at the Surf Ballroom. Alan enjoyed watching old western t.v. shows, watching rodeos, and was a Trekkie at heart often watching his favorite Star Trek adventures. Many times, if Alan was sitting in front of the t.v. relaxing his sidekick Max would be at his side.  He had a competitive spirit as well especially when it came to a game of cribbage. Al would be sure to make it to cribbage tourneys around the area that would often be the culmination events at area fairs or other annual celebrations.  Woodworking was one of his favorite past times and he looked forward to spending time in his shop where he would build things and spend many hours just tinkering.  He also looked for to open water fishing on various bodies of water in the area.Those who had the privilege of crossing in his life footsteps will remember him as a man of genuine character, even tempered who could strike up a conversation with stranger and it was like he knew them his whole life.  He never met a stranger and was always quick witted, had a great sense of humor and a good story to share with anyone who would listen. He was known for a good joke mixed in with a little bit of fun sarcasm.  Though he never really traveled much outside of his military years one of the most special memories her cherished was the recent Honor Flight that he went on in 2025.      Alan's memory will continue in the hearts and minds of his surviving daughters from his first marriage and their families including Tracy (Bill) Case and their kids Cody (Jazmyn) Torgerson, Patrick Torgerson, Madelyn Torgerson (Noch Kitzmiller), and Sarah Torgerson all of Washington state; Terri Peterson of Mason City, IA, and her daughter Kimmie Peterson (Cody Hoeft) of_Forest City, IA, Tina Summers (Ken Thygesen), and her family Kirstin (Mitch) Skow, Dakota Schuver, 8 grandkids and deceased son Zachary Schuver. Alan and Shirlee's sons: Scott Peterson and his kid Kaylene Peterson, Isabel Peterson, and Charlotte Peterson, all of Lake Mills, IA, and "5-bonus grandkids" for Alan including Madison, Mia, Bri, Hailey, and Ari Thompson. Son Steven (Alyssa) Peterson and their kids Landon Beck, Percy Peterson, and Zaynezan Peterson all of Keister, MN; and a grandson Jason Peterson of Kansas City, KS.  Also surviving are Alan's siblings--brother Leslie (Diane) Peterson, Meservey, IA, sister Lorna (Mike) Holst, Goodell, IA, Marj Peterson, Belmond, IA, Mike Peterson, Mason City, IA, Doug (Kelly) Peterson, Garner, IA and many nieces, nephews, other extended family and friends, along with his buddy Max.    Alan was preceded in death by his parents Lauretz and Della, son Daniel K. Peterson July 19, 2015, brother David Peterson August 30, 2024, niece Christine Holst January 8, 2015, along with several in laws and other family.    Andrews Funeral Homes, Belmond, IA. http://www.andrewsfuneralhomeandfloral.com 641-444-4474.