Marvin Dean Peterson, 72, of Murrieta, Calif., passed away at home Feb. 23, 2017, after a courageous battle with cancer.
Services will be held at 1:30 p.m., March 9, at Miramar National Cemetery with full military rites and the Rev. Chris Deknatel officiating.
Marvin was born Aug. 29, 1944, in Torrington, Wyo., to Alfred and Dorothy Peterson, the second of seven children. While growing up, the family lived in Ft. Laramie, Wyo., and Bogue, Kan., and then settled in Woonsocket, where he attended rural schools and graduated from Woonsocket High School in 1964.
Marvin served for 24 years in the US Army and the South Dakota National Guard, serving two tours in Vietnam and tours in West Germany. He received many awards and decorations, including three Bronze Stars, five Good Conduct medals, other medals and campaign ribbons.
He was married to Kong Sun Peterson for 43 years. After his discharged from the Army they lived for a time in Woonsocket before moving to Brookings, where they lived for 30-plus years and worked for Twin City Fan. In 2015, they retired to Murrieta, Calif.
Marvin was a quiet man, who enjoyed the simple things in life, such as fishing and hunting, spending time with family and eating a good steak. He was a jokester with a dry sense of humor, who enjoyed gardening, working in his man cave in his backyard and woodworking.
He is survived by his wife, Kong; daughters, Rebecca Risty and Tina Peterson, and son-in-law, Spencer; four brothers, LeRoy (Myrna), Duane (Frances) and Rickey, all of Woonsocket, Larry (Robin) of Pierre; and many nieces, nephews and in-laws.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Maureen Revelle; one brother, Mark; one sister-in-law, Pat; and a niece, Theresa Hasecuster.