Fred J. Petersen, 85, of Flandreau, died Sunday Aug. 12, 2018, at the Dougherty Hospice House, Sioux Falls. 

Funeral services are at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Flandreau. Burial is in Union Cemetery. Visitation is 5 – 7 p.m. Wednesday with a 7 p.m. prayer service at Skroch Funeral Chapel. Memorials may be made to the Children’s Inn in Sioux Falls.

Fred was born May 11, 1933, at Flandreau, to Harry and Nina (Lee) Petersen. He received his education at O’Brien and Vance country schools. 

He farmed with his dad and then drove truck for A.L. Storer. Fred was a member of the South Dakota National Guard from 1952-1954 before serving in the U.S. Army from March 1954 to March of 1956. He raised cattle all of his life. He was a saddle bronc rider in rodeos for 12 years. 

Fred married Judy Bachman on July 21, 1961, in Flandreau. 

They bought a farm in 1962 and Fred continued to ranch and farm. He was a member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, former ASCS board member and a member of McRat (farm site protection group). Fred enjoyed a simple life of ranching and farming but most of all he loved his family. He never turned away a visitor for a cup of coffee.

Fred is survived by three daughters, Jody (Tommy) Wallin-Clark of Sugarland, Texas,  Mindy (Mike) Smith and Sally (Michael) Johnson, both of Flandreau; six grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and six siblings, Don (Carol) of Portland, Oregon, Harriet Whitesell of Rapid City, Dorothy Dechiro of Flandreau, Nina Sue (Marlon) Thielsen of Flandreau, Doug (Susie) of Dell Rapids and Helen (Ron Hexum) Nass of Sioux Falls.

For online condolences, visit www.skrochfc.com.