Kenneth Leroy Peterson was born November 9, 1925 on the family farm in Adler Township, near Petersburg, ND, the son of Charlie O. and Christina M. Peterson. Ken was the youngest of seven children. He graduated from Petersburg High School. He was confirmed at Melrose Lutheran Church in 1938. Ken married Evelyn Isabella Henrietta Verkuehlen on September 27, 1945. Evelyn passed away February 16, 1972. Kenneth had managed grain elevators in Orr, Osnabrock, Milton, Langdon, and Grandin, North Dakota before moving to Colorado, where he worked in the wholesale lumber business until retiring in 2005. Kenneth was a member of St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Aurora, CO. He had a great fondness for animals and supported animal shelters. He also supported the Anne Carlsen children's home in Jamestown.

Kenneth is survived by his children, Roxanne (Ed) Marker of Kenai, AK and LeRoy “Pete” (Arlene) Peterson of Adams, ND; four grandchildren, Marie Koenig, Cameron Peterson, Steven Peterson, and Wesley Peterson; four step-grandchildren, Brian Wippler, Jason Wippler, Amanda Wippler, and Alisa Haugen; and eleven great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Evelyn; his children, Leroy Kenneth, Yvonne, and David; three sisters, Ella Bratvold, Josie McKenzie, and Olive McKenzie; three brothers, Earl, Alfred, and Orville; and his daughter-in-law, Bette (Symons) Peterson.

The Funeral Service for Kenneth will be held at the Dahlen Lutheran Church, Dahlen, ND, on Friday, August 5, 2011 at 10:30 a.m. Officiating will be the Reverend Gary Knabe. The organist will be Dee Ann Ellingson. Interment will be private at Bellevue Cemetery, Larimore. The casketbearers will be Grant Lindell, Melvin Verkuehlen, Marlo Hanson, Wesley Peterson, Rick Koenig, and Cameron Peterson. Visitation will be held at the Aaker Funeral Home, Lakota, ND, on Thursday from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. and will continue at the church on Friday, beginning at 9:30 a.m. until the time of service.