Richard C. Peterson

Richard was born August 23, 1931, in Escanaba, the son of Charles and Gertrude (Olson) Peterson. He grew up in Stonington and attended Rapid River High School. Richard was united in marriage to Lorraine Olson on January 27, 1951 and together they spent 62 years of marriage before her passing, on December 1, 2013. Richard was later united in marriage to Beverly Johnson, on January 3, 2015, whom he spent 6 years making wonderful memories with. Richard was a sheet metal worker employed at Harnischfeger Corporation for 30 years.

Richard was a farmer and he loved to garden, do lawn care, plant trees, and race stock cars. He started racing in 1966 and drove a 1956 red Ford #33 stock car nicknamed the Crimson Hay Bailer. He won 4 championships in Escanaba and Norway, and was inducted into the Norway Hall of Fame in 2017. He even passed on his love for racing to his children. Richard was also a member of the Swedish Club and a devoted member of Calvary Lutheran Church of Rapid River.

Richard is survived by his wife; Beverly, his 5 children; Dannette (Greg) Viau, Charles Peterson, Clayton (Mary Ann) Peterson, Timothy Peterson, and Martha (Carl) Miller, 5 step-children; Cheryl (James) Vanderlinden, Bill (Sarah) Johnson, Ed (Valerie) Johnson, Ray (Lisa) Johnson, and Charlotte (John) Pfeiffer, as well as 12 grandchildren; Bradley (Amy) Viau, Danielle (Bobby Wagner) Viau, Michelle (Jeff) Kozar, Valerie Peterson, Kirsten (Mary) Gallandt, Samantha (Robbie) Buttry, Jessica (Adam) Schroeder, Heather (Ray) DeLillo, Matthew (Chelsea) Peterson, Ashley Peterson, Cyle Miller, Megan (Brett) Murray, 20 great- grandchildren, 1 great-great-grandchild, and 2 new great-grandchildren coming this year. Richard is also survived by his sister; Grace Millsap, brother-in-law; William Peterson, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Richard is preceded in death by his parents, his first wife; Lorraine, sister; Marion Erickson, brothers; Charles, Gerald, and Gordon Peterson, and his grandson; Kevin Peterson.

Private services honoring Richard will be held at the Calvary Lutheran Church in Rapid River with Pastor Stephen Gauger officiating. Richard will be laid to rest in Rapid River Cemetery in the spring. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions in Richard’s name be directed to Calvary Lutheran Church of the charity of your choosing. To offer condolences, please visit www.skr adskifuneralhomes.com. The Skradski Family Funeral Homes of Delta County are assisting the Peterson family.