Stanley Ivar Peterson

Stanley (Pete) Ivar Peterson was born on December 7, 1935 in Benton Harbor, Michigan to his parents, Ivar Sigusmund Pettersson and Frida Matilda Zetterberg Peterson, Swedish immigrants who met during their voyage to the United States in 1931. As a first generation American, he was very proud of both his Swedish heritage and his American nationality. As a boy, Pete spent many hours exploring the backwoods of Benton Harbor. He loved hunting and fishing with his friends and often would bring home rabbit or fish for family meals. He spent most of his boyhood summers working in the orchards of the Harrington Farm and as a teen worked in a local grocery market. In 1955, Pete and his best buddy Richard joined the United States Marine Corps. He received his boot training at Camp Pendleton, finishing as a private first class. He then served nine months during the Korean War. Soon after his return to the US, he was promoted to Corporal and finally to Sergeant, and served another five years in the Reserve. He was very proud to serve his country and considered himself a Marine for life…Semper Fi! In 1957 Pete married Nancy Coen. Together, they raised three children; Ginger, David and Betty. As a family, they enjoyed a very traditional all-American life including cross-country summer vacations in the family truck and camper. Although he worked countless hours as an Inspector at Alcoa Aluminum, he made time to volunteer as a Little League Team Manager as well as an All-Star Manager. He was well respected by the boys, their parents and the league for his ability to model and promote good sportsmanship. Pete was also an enthusiastic fan of college and professional sports. He loved football, baseball, basketball, boxing, and track & field. He loved and followed the Patriots and Lakers. In fact, while attending the last Laker game announced by Chick Hearn, Pete had the good fortune to meet Chick personally. What a thrill that was! But most of all he was a loyal and enthusiastic Michigan Wolverine fan who was rarely seen without his Michigan cap. Pete was a craftsman who happened to be a perfectionist as well. Through the years, he completed hundreds of projects and became quite skilled in various types of masonry, tile setting, carpentry, painting, plumbing, landscaping and countless other trades. He was very generous and loved using his skillset to assist family and friends with various home projects. His greatest and most beloved project though was the renovation of his A-frame home in Wrightwood, California. Over the years he demoed, rebuilt and improved virtually every part of that house and property. It was beautiful and it was his masterpiece. His years in Wrightwood were among the happiest of his life. He truly loved Wrightwood. But most of all, he loved the simplicity of life in this small, tight-knit community. Stanley (Pete) is preceded in death by his father Ivar Pettersson, his mother Frida Peterson, and his half-sister Ruth. He is survived by his sister and brother-in-law Greta and Ralph Tollett; his daughter and son-in-law Ginger and Charles Barker, son David Peterson, and daughter Betty Armour; grandchildren Michael, Gina, Kylene, Kristen, Michelle, Kelly, DJ, Keith, and Jeff; great-grandchildren Joshua, Madison, Madison, Nathan, Sadie, Avery, Andrew, Jax, Weston and Cove, as well as a host of nieces and nephews, all of whom loved him dearly.