Donald A. "Don" Peterson, 83, Berthold, died March 31, 2016 in a Minot nursing home.

Don was born September 5, 1932 at Minot, North Dakota the son of Jacob and Laura (Ronningen) Peterson. He was raised on the family farm near Carpio and educated at Hartland and Carpio before graduating from Carpio High School in 1951. He entered into active duty service with the U.S. Army, serving stateside from 1951-1953.

Don was united in marriage to Helen Frisch of Glasgow, Montana on June 8, 1958 in Carpio. They made their home in Minot, Carpio and since 1964 on the family farmstead east of Berthold. Throughout the years, Don worked in the construction industry, primarily as part owner of Neshem-Peterson Road Construction for over 30 years. During that time, he was instrumental in designing and manufacturing Coal Furnaces for the use in drying sunflowers and grain for the farmers. He also played an integral role in the development of the Sunflower Plant east of Velva and Turtle Mountain Manufacturing in Belcourt. Since the mid 1980's, his focus has been working with Coal & Ash Handling equipment. Don was a lifetime member of Carpio Lutheran Church.

Don's hobbies began as his grandchildren arrived. He loved nothing more than dreaming up ways to keep them entertained. Many hours were spent keeping go-carts, motorcycles, and snowmobile engines running, building BB gun and bow and arrow shooting ranges in the basement, shopping sprees at the dollar store, stocking their water hole with fish and making "m-m-m GOOD chocolate milk." He was known for handing out (chocolate)kisses at church and area ballgames and "Blessing Peoples Hearts". He touched many lives with "Don's Corn Patch", sharing with anyone who wanted to partake in his corn harvest. He will be missed by all who knew him.

Don's loving family includes : his wife of 57 years, Helen, daughter, Laurie (Paul) Isakson, Fargo, sons, Gary (Pam) Peterson, Carpio, Jim (Leanne) Peterson, Berthold, grandchildren, Adam (Bri) Isakson, Greenville, SC, Peter Isakson, Fargo, Anna Isakson, Fargo, Joshua Peterson, Minneapolis, MN, Jacob (Caitlin) Peterson, Hope, ID, Jacey (Bret) Erickson, Carrington, Kyle Peterson, Grand Forks, and Abbey Peterson, Denver, CO; brother, Lloyd (Joyce) Peterson, Carpio; sister, Lois (Glen) Smith, Colorado Springs, CO; along with several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Don was preceded in death by his parents, brothers and sister in laws, Freeman (Angie) Peterson, Harold (Borghild) Peterson, brothers, Marvin & Jack Peterson, sisters and brother in laws, Gladys (Norman) Lee and Marilyn (Red) Payne; nephews, Bill and Neil Peterson.

Funeral service: Wednesday, April 6, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. in Carpio Lutheran Church, Carpio.
Interment: First Lutheran Cemetery, Rural Carpio
Visitation: Tuesday from 2:00-4:00 in Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot & from 6:00-7:00 p.m. in the Carpio Lutheran Church with a Public Prayer service at 7:00 p.m. in the Church.
In lieu of flowers or plants, the family prefers memorials to the Berthold Ambulance.