Funeral services for Kelva Peterson, age 80, of Parade will be at 11 AM MT, Tuesday, December 10, 2013 at the UCC Church in Eagle Butte. Kelva passed away Thursday, December 5, 2013 at St. Mary's Hospital in Pierre. Kesling Funeral Home of Mobridge is in charge of arrangements.

Kelva Marie (Johnson) Peterson, born Feb. 2, 1933 to Clarence and Edith Bailey Johnson in Lynd MN. Her first job was candling eggs at Marshall Produce, Marshall MN. She was 14 and had fibbed about her age to get hired. She was confirmed in the First English Lutheran Church 1948, graduated in 1951 from Marshall High School, and went to stay with Uncle Elmer and Aunt Tilla Johnson in Eagle Butte SD. Both her parents had lived in the Eagle Butte area during the homestead years and there were still many ties there. During this time she was courted by Delbert Peterson who managed to win her hand, and she married him Nov. 5, 1953. From this union came Kim in 1954, Guy Mike 1957, Kristy 1960, Brice 1962, and Kirby 1968. As part of the Peterson family Kelva was more than just a daughter in law or sister in law. She was truly one of the family and dearly loved by Carl and Lizzie, Delbert's folks. Many hopes and dreams of Delbert's brothers and sisters were shared with her, and she was their trusted confidant. As a ranchers wife she worked alongside her husband north of Parade and became involved with all the community activities such as the extension club, 4H club, and even found time to open Parade hall as a skating rink for several years. She also took up bowling and the trophies were soon filling her living room. Eventually though Kelva, like many other ranch wives of the time, took work in town to help out. She started by working for Frank and Joyce Ganje at the Coast to Coast where she worked with her sister in law, Tiny Farlee, for many years. Then moving to The Plains clothing store where she worked for Swede Boehrs and later his son Shawn. In 1982 she lost her husband Delbert and stayed at home but only for a short time as Dot Naeve hired her. Kelva enjoyed taking care of Dot and did so until she passed away. Then began her career at the Sacred Heart Women's Shelter, a very rewarding time for Kelva. She worked there 24 years. Officially retiring in Feb. 2013 only because she had broken her hip and thought she might need a little time to recuperate. She was 80 years old. She spent her last summer doing some of the things she loved, watching her grandchildren (18) at all their different sporting events, taking care of great grandchildren(14), making jelly from wild fruit the grandkids had brought over, canning vegetables fresh from her grandsons garden, a special wine making project from grapes picked in the yard, short trips with Mike and Marcy Lesmeister, traveling with dear friends Boyd and Vallie Rae Anderson with a stop or two at the casinos, visiting with old friends and spending time with her beloved sister Lily who was a dear companion. Kelva enjoyed the family reunions and renewing old friendships. Her home was one of joy and laughter and it would be an almost impossible task to list all the lives Kelva touched. She will be missed.

Along with her children, daughter in laws, grandchildren, and great grandchildren she is survived by her sisters Ada (Doug) Cassman of Grasston, MN, Lily Leach of Marshall MN, Lucille Frazue of Glen St. Mary, FL and a brother Elmer Johnson of Marshall MN. She was preceded in death by her husband Delbert Peterson, parents Clarence and Edith Johnson, Brother Clarence (Sonny) Johnson, daughter in law Allison Peterson and grandson Charles Peterson.