J. Gordon Peterson

J. Gordon Peterson, 90, went to his heavenly home on Monday, July 14, 2014, one day before his 91st birthday.A funeral service will be held Friday, July 18, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. at Faith Lutheran Church, 1601 2nd Ave. N. (2nd floor in the Columbus Chapel), Great Falls. Burial will follow at Highland Cemetery. Schnider Funeral Home is handling arrangements.Gordon was born on July 15, 1923 to Clarence Edward and Ivah Irene (Johnston) Peterson on the Johnston family farm in Rugby, ND. At age 4, his family moved to Great Falls, MT and he lived the rest of his life here.Like many other young men, Gordon joined the Navy in WWII and served in San Diego and the Aleutian Islands. After returning to Great Falls he worked at MAFB for 35 years as a civilian and retired as the Superintendent of Roads and Grounds.Gordon married Wenonah Halvorsen on December 28, 1951, and they raised 4 daughters. Gordons passion for the outdoors included hunting, fishing, camping, and golf. During his retirement, Gordon and Wenonah enjoyed traveling to Yuma, visiting family, and the yearly trip to the family cottage in Wisconsin.Gordon was a member of the Elks Club and played in the Drum and Bugle Corps. He was also a long-time member of Faith Lutheran Church.Everyone who met Dad thought he was friendly, kind and a good man. He always had an optimistic attitude despite any hardships. He loved people and was making new friends until his last days. He will be missed by all.He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Wenonah; brother Alvin; brother-in-law James (Pat) Halvorsen; 4 daughters, Charlotte (Chuck) Waters, Ramona (Kevin) Devine, Naomi Peterson, and Dorothy (Toby) LaMere; 6 grandchildren, Shawna (Gary) Foulk, James (Jessica) LaMere, Shane Barnett, Collin Devine, Ginnie (Rich) Smith, and Matthew Devine; 2 great grandchildren, Emma and Teagen; 4 step-grandchildren; 9 step-great grandchildren; 1 step-great-great grandson; and multiple nephews, nieces and cousins.Memorials may be sent to Faith Lutheran Church Building Fund at 1601 2nd Ave. N., Great Falls, MT 59401 or a charity of your choice.Condolences may be posted online at www.schniderfuneralhome.com.