Rodney Peterson

Rodney Peter Peterson, 88, of Northwood, ND, passed away Monday, September 22, 2025, at Northwood Deaconess Health Center in Northwood, surrounded by his loving family. Funeral services will be held Monday, September 29, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. at Northwood Evangelical Lutheran Church in Northwood. A visitation will be held from 12:00 p.m. until the time of the service at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be given in his memory to NELC.

Rodney was born on December 31, 1936 in Northwood, ND to Kelly and Mamie (Draxton) Peterson. He grew up on the family farm west of Northwood as the youngest of 6 children. His love of the land began at age 13 when he began working on the farm of Bert and Marie Uglem. Rodney was confirmed at West Union Lutheran Church, became a member of Northwood Evangelical Lutheran Church in 1964, and the importance of his Christian faith was apparent to all who knew him.

Rodney graduated from Northwood High School in 1954 and began working full time in Northwood and then at Pioneer Mutual in Fargo. Rodney went on to serve his country as a member of the Air National Guard, where he was stationed in Amarillo, Texas working as a jet engine mechanic on their fleet of F101 Voodoo aircraft until 1960. He was honorably discharged from the National Guard in 1964.

On September 28th, 1963, he married Gladyce Leen from Niagara, at Bethel Lutheran Church of rural Larimore. During this time, he worked with the Thorsgard Truck Line and helped start & manage North Central Jobbers. In 1966, he realized his lifelong dream of owning a farm through the purchase of land and property from the Olimb family southwest of Northwood, later expanding to include a farm near Larimore as well.

Rodney greatly enjoyed farming, which he did for more than 30 years. He loved working outdoors as well as the challenge, hard work and the sense of accomplishment & fulfillment from a job well done. He also passed these values onto his children, who have many cherished memories of living and working together on the family farm. For hobbies, he enjoyed bowling league, the marketing club, and learning how to fly with his good friends in the flying club.

In 1991, as they neared retirement, Rodney and Gladyce bought a trailer on Golden Lake. While the looks of the property have changed over the years, time spent laughing and being together have strengthened family bonds that now includes 4 generations. Rodney enjoyed the lake most of all, and on hot days could often be found napping on the pontoon with a Coke and bag of popcorn as he floated along aimlessly. Once retired, he could also be found golfing with lifelong friends on summer mornings or drinking coffee with them at Cool Stuff Drive Inn.

Rodney is survived by his wife, Gladyce; children Michael (Sheri) Peterson of Fargo, ND; Melanie (Dean) Hoiland of Northwood; Todd (Susan) Peterson of Alexandria, MN; grandchildren: Austin Cariveau, Ashley Cariveau, Sarah (Isaac) Bolduc, Rachel (Zachary) Smaaladen, Heather (Rudy) Finney, Laura Hoiland, Jonathan Hoiland, Logan Peterson; great-grandchildren: Everett Bolduc, Reichard Bolduc, Lettie Finney, Eleanor Smaaladen; and numerous nieces and nephews who were very near and dear to him.

He was proceeded in death by his parents; brothers Ardell, Howard, Kent and Dale Peterson; sister Audrey (Jerry) Bueide; brother-in-laws Leonard Leen and Robert (Ardyce) Leen; and sister-in-law Marian Peterson.

His family would like to give special thanks to all the caregivers, therapists, and NDHC staff who helped care for Rodney after his stroke in 2015.