John Peterson, 61, of Brookings, passed away on Jan. 14, 2024, at the Brookings hospital.  
Memorial services will be held on Friday, Jan. 19, at the First Presbyterian Church in Brookings at 1 p.m. Visitation will take place Thursday, Jan. 18, at Eidsness Funeral Home in Brookings, from 5 until 7 p.m,
John Peterson was born on May 3, 1962, to Frank Peterson Sr. and Dona Dee (Hicks) Peterson in Vermillion. He graduated from Vermillion High School in 1980. Following graduation, John continued farming, and helped local farmers.  He eventually worked in the mail department at USD.
On Sept. 8, 1990, John married Denise (Rens) Peterson in Lennox.  In 1997, they moved to Brookings. John worked in the print lab, mail room, and facilities department at SDSU. He worked at Edgebrook Golf Course and Ampride gas station part-time.
Throughout his life John loved golf.  He could often be found going on drives, either around Brookings, or to Wall Drug for maple Wall Drug doughnuts.
 He enjoyed watching the Kansas City Chiefs, but especially loved watching Andy Griffith. He was a member of the Vermillion Eagles Club, played softball, and ran a half-marathon. John will be remembered as being humble and kind.  
He had a positive outlook on life, always with a smile on his face.  
John was a hard worker, but he also had fun.
John is survived by his daughter, Jessica (Brennan) Welsh of Waukon, Iowa; son Brock Peterson of Sioux Falls; mother, Dona Dee (Sonny) Peterson of Vermillion; sisters Cindy (John) Aden of Vermillion & Kayleen (Tim) Omann of Baldwin, WI; brother, Bill (Shannon) Peterson; sister-in-laws, Julie (Ron) Blair, Lisa (Andy) Crumpton, & Melissa Rens. He is survived by numerous nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews who he loved dearly, and all he called a friend.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Denise; father, Frank; uncle, Vincent Peterson; in-laws, Denny and Rita Rens.