Don Petersen was born in Chicago, Illinois, on April 11, 1945. From there, he moved to Holland, Iowa; Platte, South Dakota; and Sumas, Washington. In 1965, he joined the Navy. Upon his honorable discharge four years later, he earned his bachelor's degree in biology. He went on to earn a master's, also in biology but with a focus on ornithology, from Western Washington University. After that, he taught several years at Zuni Elementary School in New Mexico.

Following his time in Zuni, Don spent many years working at Edaleen Dairy in Lynden, Washington, just a few miles from Sumas. During his years in Lynden, Don was part of a church just across the U.S.-Canadian border in Abbotsford, where he served as a much-appreciated adult Sunday school teacher. In 1991, following the death of his father, Don moved to Grand Haven, Michigan, to take care of his elderly mother, who passed away in 1999. He then took in his mentally handicapped sister, Shirley, who had previously spent most of her life in group homes in various locations. In addition to looking after Shirley, Don worked as a park naturalist at P.J. Hoffmaster State Park in Norton Shores, just a few miles from Grand Haven.

Don was a man who loved the Lord and loved teaching other believers about Him. Wherever he lived, he was an adult Sunday school teacher, a small-group leader, or both. He also loved the outdoors, including extended bird-watching; working as a park naturalist for nearly 20 years was the ideal job for him. Don was an uncle to many nieces and nephews, as well as being like a grandpa to several of the younger nieces and nephews who never got to know their grandpa Henry Petersen.

Don was preceded in death by his father, Henry; his mother, Irene; and his brother Dale; as well as his sisters, Shirley and Sharon. He is survived by his brothers: Karl, Ken and Keith; as well as his sister Nancy. He is also survived by 19 nieces and nephews, as well as many cousins.

Don's siblings will hold a virtual memorial service at a time to be determined. Donations may be given to The Luke Society at https://www.lukesociety.org/get-involved/donations/. Or you can send donations to them at 3409 S. Gateway Blvd., No. 1000, Sioux Falls, SD 57106.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Grand Haven Tribune on Aug. 18, 2021.

Memories and Condolences
for Don Petersen

5 Entries

Scott Piper

December 12, 2022

My deepest sympathy for the surviving Petersens. Don and I met around 1971, in Sumas and at Sumas Christian Reformed Church. We trolled in a rowboat for trout on silver Lake. All the Petersen boys and Don and I played football in a dirt field next to their house. Don was a brother figure for Tone and my children. I remember when Don got that job at Zuni. One story was that teachers to the Zuni youth only lasted about 3 weeks, Don would last several years. Don stopped at Navaho and observed the Navaho basketball boys, a dominant native team in that area. When Don got to Zuni, the "Toughs" got rude with Don. Don said, "I think we need to practice and beat Navaho at the Christmas tournament." The Zuni boys scoffed at that at first, but Don had their interest. Don coached that team into shape and they did go to the big tournament and defeated Navaho. Don had earned himself some respect with the tribe that day and I think it improved the feelings of self worth among those Zunit people. Don was invited into Chief's homes. Don had a 30-30 Marlin lever action hunting rifle. Zuni chiefs would "borrow" it, with Don's permission, of course. When Don left that job and returned to Lynden, that hunting rifle was quite beat up, it had many stories to tell, I'm sure. I gave Don $500 one time so that he could try to bear down and finish his Master's thesis at WWU. I think don's brothers pitched in a lot more than that. Don did finish that Masters, gave me a copy "The Nesting Habits of the Western Wren in Berthusan Park." When Don moved out to Michigan I lost track of him. I finally was able to find this obituary. Obituaries are very important. I'm sorry that Don has gone now, but very happy to have known him, he was the genuine article and a very gently and generous man.

Judi

August 23, 2021

I was a friend of Don, we shared the love of photography. RIP Don.

Josh & Jen Brugger

August 22, 2021

I read last night around 1:15 a.m. that our friend Don had passed away. We hadn't seen him recently, but Josh was planning a coffee date with him when Covid ended. Don led an amazing life. He was a superb photographer and biologist. He taught out West and cared deeply about the Native Americans he lived among. We first met Don when we attended Spring Lake Wesleyan Church, now All Shores. He was on our special prayer team when Josh and I served in South Africa with SIM. He had a servant's heart, loved Jesus and nature, and had a lovely smile. He would always say, "Oh! Hi Josh!" Don is enjoying coffee with Jesus today, but our hearts miss him here.

Janna Houghton

August 19, 2021

I was the mail carrier for the Petersens from after 1987-2012?? I switched routes closer to retirement. Don and Shirley definitely made the neighborhood more fun and enjoyable ❣ Shirley was a delight sharing with me how many times she had walked around the block❣ She had such dedication. I grew up on the corner of Woodlawn and Ferry. My parents still lived there on my route so I would see her often.
This write up on Don doesn’t touch on how talented he was as a photographer. Or how excited he was to be able to get away once a year without Shirley to refresh while taking wildlife photos out west. For probably 4 years at Christmas he would bless me with one of the images he took nicely displayed in a frame❣ I have 3 of them still on my walls and one on the wall in my sons house in Minnesota. Don was a fun, dedicated and interesting person to run into on a weekly basis. I wish I’d known where he went after I left the route/retired. He was Gods mighty servant for sure
Janna Klempel Houghton

Doug&Wallene Williams

August 19, 2021

We met Don at All Shores Wesleyan Church many years ago. We were in a small group Bible study with him. Don was a kind,interesting man who loved his Lord . He will be missed by all of us who called this wonderful Christian man friend.
Our thoughts and prayers to Don’s family for you loss.

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