Darren Peterson

Darren Peterson, age 61, died peacefully while surrounded by family on Saturday, November 1, 2025.

Darren was born on December 5, 1963, to Don and Judy Peterson. He grew up on the family farm in Scandinavia and graduated from Iola-Scandinavia High School in 1982. He then attended UW-River Falls and was a member of Alpha Gamma Rho, graduating with a degree in agriculture in 1986.

He met his wife Shelly while attending UW-River Falls. They married in May 1993 and had three children: Emily, Ben, and Chloe. Darren loved to attend his kids’ games, choir concerts, and activities while they were growing up. As the kids became adults, he was the first person they called for advice, to share good news, or to help with a project.

He was active in the community, working as a coordinator for CYO basketball long after his kids finished playing. He loved annual fall visits to Sharky’s Orchard for Honeycrisp apples and going to “the corn guy” in Darboy.

Darren cherished spending time at the family cabin near Eagle River, tapping sap and walking on the lake in the winter and pontooning around North Twin Lake and building campfires in the summer.

Darren spent his entire career working in the dairy industry, and he particularly enjoyed the connections and friendships he made while traveling throughout the country and world for his job.

He was diagnosed with glioblastoma in January 2025 and faced his cancer with strength and a positive attitude. After his diagnosis, he traveled to Key West and the Indianapolis 500 and took a road trip around Lake Superior, among other events with his family.

Darren was a steady presence that his family could always count on. He was the greatest source of comfort and strength and his love will stay with us forever.

He is survived by his loving wife of 32 years, Shelly; children Emily (Nerf Udoekong and son Beck), Ben, and Chloe (Austin Hanson); mother Judy Peterson; sister DeAnn Peterson Firnbach; nieces Kelly (Kyle) Plate and Kasey (Alex) Snyder; and numerous other nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

He is preceded in death by his father, Don, and his grandparents.

Darren’s family would like to thank the staff at ThedaCare Cancer Center and the hospice team at ThedaCare Regional Medical Center, especially Dr. Joseph Bovi, for compassionate and loving care through this process.

The family will hold a visitation from 9-11 a.m. at Scandinavia Lutheran Church (105 Church St, Scandinavia, WI 54977) on November 8, preceding the celebration of life at 11 a.m.

The family requests no flowers be sent. In lieu of flowers, please use your resources to further brain cancer research by donating to the American Brain Tumor Association in Darren’s name at www.abta.org