Oliver Odell Peterson, age 89, of Blair, formerly of Whitehall, died on Saturday, December 1, 2012 in the Tri-County Memorial Hospital in Whitehall.

Oliver was born June 6, 1923 to Bennie and Ella (Gilbertson) Peterson in Vosse Coulee on the family farm homesteaded by his grandparents in 1856. He attended the one room school there and the Trempealeau Valley Lutheran Church that his grandfather helped to build. Like all farm children, he worked on the farm, milking the herd of 34 Holsteins and doing chores while completing high school in Taylor.

Oliver joined the United States Navy after a year of college in LaCrosse. He was trained in radio and telegraph communications and then sent to sea aboard the USS Thomas, a destroyer escort that sank four German submarines over the course of its missions during WWII. He received several medals of honor for his service.

When the war ended Oliver returned to the home farm. Not long after he began his work at Peterson Implement Co. in Whitehall where he handled the parts department of the farm implement business started by his brother, Eyvind, and their father. Oliver worked side by side with his brother until they both retired when the business was sold some 50 years later.

Oliver's true life work was his kind and compassionate support of others in the AA program in Whitehall and surrounding areas. Until the end of his life, he gave selflessly of his time and energy lending a hand and a listening ear to those in need. Over the years, Oliver created a large and caring family of friends of all ages. He was steadfast in concern for them and was especially touched in recent years by a little boy who is his namesake and was a source of great joy to Oliver.

Oliver is survived by two nieces, Nedra (Loren) Hanson of Janesville and Roberta Sommer of Santa Fe, NM; great nieces and nephews and great-great nephews.

In addition to his parents, Oliver was preceded in death by a brother, Eyvind.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, December 7, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. in Our Saviour's Lutheran Church with burial in the Lincoln Cemetery both in Whitehall. Pastor Kris Fahey will officiate.

Military graveside services will be conducted by the Hutchins-Stendahl Amercian Legion Post #191.

Friends may call one hour prior to the service.

Memorials may be designated to the Grand View Care Center in Blair.

The Jack Funeral Home in Whitehall is assisting the family with arrangements.