THEODORE “THEO” RAYMOND PETERSON
Theodore “Theo” Raymond Peterson, 94, of Memphis, Missouri, passed away Thursday afternoon, September 4, 2025, at his home surrounded by family.
He was born on October 16, 1930, in Omaha, Nebraska, the son of Albert and Mary Underwood Peterson.
He attended high school in Omaha and his family moved to Gorin, Missouri when he was 16, and he later graduated from the Milton, Iowa High School, Class of 1949.
Theo honorably served his country in the United States Navy, from 1951 to 1954.
On June 25, 1960, in Quincy, Illinois, he married Donna Joan Garrett and to this union three children were born, and they made their home in Milton, Iowa.
Theo drove a truck all his life, he pulled canned milk, and later bulk milk and propane. He also drove for W.L. Miller and leased his truck and worked for Wilcoxson Transport for 32 years, until he retired on his 83rd birthday. He moved to Memphis, Missouri in 1981.
He was a member of the American Legion in Milton, Iowa and the Memphis VFW Post. He loved to visit his neighbors and friends, playing pinochle on Saturday evenings, and spending time with his dogs, Dixie and Rocky. He will be remembered for his laugh, his kindness and for fixing up around the house for his wife.
Theo is survived by his daughters, Nikki and Jeffrey Adams of Memphis, Missouri, and Korki and Brian Shumaker of Kirksville, Missouri; a brother, Douglas and Vi Peterson of Melborne, Australia; nine grandchildren; eleven great grand-children; one great great granddaughter; along with numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Donna Peterson; a son, Lance Peterson; brothers, Clark and Louise Peterson, Albert and Jean Peterson; and sisters, Minnie and Charles Newon, Marjorie and Jack Carlson, Alice and Charles Arnold, Mary Ellen and Earl Brown, Janet and Wayne Semos, and Carol Ann and Max Baker: a granddaughter, Toni Jo Schultz; two great great grandchildren, Everley Anderson and Austin Chalupa.
Funeral services will be at 12:00 noon Monday, September 8, 2025, at the Memphis Funeral Home in Memphis, Missouri.
Visitation will also be Monday from 10:00 a.m. until time of service at the funeral home.
Full Military Honors, by Milton American Legion, will be at the Sunnyside Cemetery in Milton, Iowa.
An expression of sympathy in memory of Theo Peterson may be left to the Sunnyside Cemetery and Hospice. A memorial may be left at or mailed to the Memphis Funeral Home 378 S. Market Street, Memphis, Missouri 63555.
