Merle Peterson, 96, of Watertown, formerly of Bradley, South Dakota, passed away on July 11, 2026, at Avantara Watertown. Funeral services will be held at 12:00 p.m. at Furness Funeral Home in Clark, SD on Saturday, July 18, 2026. Burial will take place at Prairie Hill Cemetery in Bradley, South Dakota. A time of visitation will be held the evening prior, Friday, July 17, 2026, at Furness Funeral Home from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m.
Merle Wendell Peterson was born on February 14, 1930, to Basil and Violet (Barton) Peterson. He was born at home with a midwife present. Merle attended school in Thorp, and graduated from Bradley in 1948.
Merle and Lucille Schanbeck were married on March 18, 1951.
To this union three children were born – daughter Linette and sons Ron and Doyle. They started their married life farming and continued farming through a career with the U.S. Postal Service in Webster and Wallace, SD.
Merle is survived by his daughter Linette (Terry) Batterman, sons Ron (Diane) and Doyle; seven grandkids; and 10 great-grandkids.
Preceding him in death are his wife, Lucille; his parents; his brother Dale, Dale's wife Alyce, and their son, Matthew.