Ronald Allen Peterson

Ron Peterson, age 83, passed away peacefully under Hospice care at Bethany Homes on December 2, 2025. Ronald Allen Peterson was born on January 15, 1942, on the Mauer farm in Clifford, ND, the son of Arthur Melvin and Almira (Haagenson) Peterson. Ron grew up and attended school in Fargo, ND. After high school, he worked at a Texaco service station in Fargo, where he met Della M. Bakkila who stopped to have her car filled with gas. They were married on August 28, 1964. Ron and Della were blessed with two daughters, Kimberly and Kathy, with whom they built a life with in Moorhead, MN. Ron worked as a peace officer for the Moorhead Police Department for multiple years and worked part-time as a sheriff's deputy for Clay County for several decades, where he fulfilled his desire to "serve & protect". Ron regularly worked security at the Rollag Steam Threshers Reunion, where his professional life and passion for trains and cars collided. Ron was gifted with an expertise and talent to create beautiful things with his hands. After leaving the Moorhead Police Department, he worked as a goldsmith for three generations of the Lundeen and Stephens families at The Crown Jewels of Fargo. His career spanned 63 years until he retired in 2021. He found great joy in bringing a customer's vision to life with hand-crafted, custom-designed pieces. He was also the caretaker of Parkridge Apartments where he had many wonderful friends and neighbors. Ron had many hobbies and was an enthusiastic collector of Hot Wheels, trains, and toys. Ron and Della enjoyed many loving years together, where they especially enjoyed time with their grandchildren, and later great-grandchildren. Their grandchildren and great-grandchildren were their pride and joy. Ron was the first to provide updates and share photos of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren with friends, strangers, nurses, doctors, and more. The family has been beyond blessed with so many years with our dad, grandpa, and "Bumpa".

Ron is survived by his daughters, Kim (Rob) Lauf of Fargo, ND and Kathy (Darren Sprute) Hase of Big Lake, MN; grandchildren, Savannah (Nick) Welch, of St. Paul, MN, Robbie (Medora) Lauf of Bismarck, ND, Grant Hase of Chanhassen, MN, Grace Sprute of Big Lake, MN; great-grandchildren, Ellis & Iris Welch of St. Paul, MN and Robert C. Lauf IV of Bismarck, ND. Ron was preceded in death by his wife, Della Peterson; his parents, Arthur and Almira of Luverne, ND; sister, Janice Lewis and brother-in-law, Lawrence Lewis of Colorado; brother, John Peterson and sister-in-law, Renee Peterson of Grand Forks, ND; and niece, Peggy Wilson, Colorado. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews that he loved very much. Our family would like to express deep gratitude for the guidance and friendship of Deb Kukowski during this time. We are thankful for her love and expertise.

In lieu of flowers, Ron requests that the NDSU Bison Football win their 11th FCS Championship this year, and that the Minnesota Vikings figure out their quarterback situation as soon as possible.