Ryan Peterson

Ryan Gregory Peterson, 47, who was still a “good looker” for his age, left us on Friday, October 27, 2023.

Our hearts are absolutely broken at the death of Ryan (aka Pete, Petey, Ry, Sweet Pete, Tulip, Barn Swallow, The Falcon, The Tripler, Ry-Guy Peterson). Ryan was born on May 22, 1976, to Janey Johnson and Greg Peterson. He lived his entire life in Sioux Falls and graduated from Turning Point, with high honors, he would add. One thing everyone knew about Petey was that he rarely took the path most traveled. He loved skateboarding, snowboarding, golfing, racquetball, driving in storms, music that isn’t awful noise, the lake, his friends, family, Andrea, and the pride and joy of his life, his daughter Presley.

Ryan did not behave according to socially acceptable conventions or standards and told it like it was. He had an unmatched, often inappropriate wit that became his trademark. He made sure you knew where you stood in his world, and always left you wanting more of the new names, quick jokes, backhanded compliments, and endless laughter. His second trademark was his stocking cap, no matter the temperature. While Ryan was a self-described introvert, he was also a great storyteller who was always willing to talk about cats—especially his best furry friend Sammy—how ridiculous your outfit or messy bun looked, and how you only wished you could look as good as him (perfection he called it), or the awful music the kids these days listen to. He could make anyone laugh and often masked his struggles in life with humor.

He was preceded in death by his dad and best friend, Greg Peterson, as well as grandparents Maurice and Margaret Cooper, Clarion and Della Peterson and Adam Peterson. He is survived by his daughter Presley, dear friend Andrea Simunek, mom Janey Johnson, sister Megan Morrow (plus brother-in-law John and nephew Flynn), cousins Emily (Dan) Amundson, Angie (Kirby) Cowles, and Paige (Mitch) Menke and a host of friends who will forever feel the void but cherish the time we did have with him. Visitation will be Thursday, Nov. 2 from 5-7 p.m. at Heritage Funeral Home, 4800 S Minnesota Ave, with family present.

We will have a casual gathering to celebrate the life and legacy that was Ryan on Saturday, Nov. 4 from 10:30-noon at The Country Club of Sioux Falls, 3400 W 22nd St., where you can share a story or memory if you’d like. We will convene afterwards at the Crow Bar.

Ryan was not the type for formal events. The family requests a send-off in true Ryan fashion by donning your favorite t-shirt, jeans, green hats, or polyester pants and join us in celebrating his memory. We would love to collect stories to remind Presley of her dad in the years to come. You can write them down or send them to Andrea, post on the Remembering Ryan Peterson Facebook page, or share in person.

If you are so inclined, you may also toast Ryan’s favorite subject, himself, anytime with a classic blue bomb or whatever the kids are into.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you either donate to First Bank and Trust in Presley Peterson’s name or to The Siouxer Skate Park via Venmo @thesiouxer or in person.