Kermit Norman Peterson

OREGON - Kermit Norman Peterson, left this world peacefully, at the age of 97, on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, at Oregon Sienna Crest Assisted Living.

Kermit was born on September 5, 1928, in Black Earth (Town of Vermont), the son of Martin and Ruth (Severson) Peterson. He was the sixth child of a large family of eleven. Growing up his parents lived at different farms in rural Black Earth, Mount Horeb/Daleyville areas where he developed a strong work ethic and a deep love for family. As a young man, he worked in Maintenance and Meat Production for Oscar Mayer and Company, Madison for 33 years, retiring in 1985, and part-time during this same period for Herreid Welding, Madison. He owned and operated Peterson Pest Control and Top-of-the-Line Maintenance. At the age of 90, he finally retired.

In 1951, Kermit met the love of his life, Dorothy E. Terre. They were united in marriage on August 16, 1952, in Madison. Together, they raised six children. In 1966, Kermit built the family home in Verona where he loved family gatherings. He perfected steaming corn for the “Peterson Annual Corn Boil” where neighbors and family gathered. Many fun memories were enjoyed at Lake Sherwood camping, sitting around the campfire, boating, and eventually enjoying the vacation home he built.

Kermit had many passions in life, including working on old tractors or trucks; tinkering or building something in his workshop or doing laborious yard upkeep planting trees, trimming bushes, or building fences. His real pleasure came in taking rides to visit relatives, stopping in for a cup of coffee and a sweet treat or attending many Norwegian lutefisk dinners throughout the years. His Norwegian heritage was of great importance. Kermit could bring a smile with his yodeling. He especially loved old time polka music where he could dance the night away!

Kermit is survived by his children, Mike (Linda), Terry, Norman, Monica (Scott) Snittler, Suzette (Dennis) Braun and Janeen (Mike) Podgorski; eight grandchildren, Mike (Sue), Scott (Jennifer), Troy, Travis, Sarah, Eric (Briar), Adrienne Snittler and Stephanie (Bill) Wilson; 10 great-grandchildren, Tyler, Nate, Nick, Emily, Cole, Lilla, and Henrik Peterson, Nolan Brenden, Alexandria Goral, and Dalton Cleveland; his sister, Donna (Ernie) Wampfler; sister-in-law, Donna Terre; as well as many nieces, nephews and friends who will miss him dearly. He was preceded in death by his wife Dorothy; daughters-in-law, Jan Peterson and Marita (Keller) Peterson; parents, brothers and sisters, and brother and sisters-in-law.

A celebration of life will be held at GUNDERSON OREGON FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 1150 Park St., Oregon, at 12 noon on Saturday, October 18, 2025. A luncheon will follow the service. A visitation will be held at the funeral home from 10:30 a.m. until the time of the service on Saturday.

Rest in peace, our dear dad. Your memory and lessons learned will live on in our hearts forever. You are happier now that you and mom are finally together again.

“Borte bra, hjemme beste” (To be away is well and good, but home is best.)

Thank you to the staff at Sienna Crest Assisted Living in Oregon who provided wonderful care for our dad, and to Dr. Gerhard Kraske who was our dad’s physician for many years.

Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson Oregon

Funeral & Cremation Care

1150 Park St.

(608) 835-3515