Howard L. Peterson

Howard L. Peterson, 83, a life-long resident of Grand Rapids, Michigan passed away on September 29, 2022, surrounded by his loving family after a long, difficult illness.

Howard was born July 4, 1939, in Grand Rapids to Art and Mabel Peterson. After graduating from Grand Rapids Union High School in 1957, Howard began a journey that included a truly happy and full-of-love marriage, three children, seven grandchildren, and countless long-time friends. In his spare time, you would find Howard at golf outings, baseball, football, basketball, and hockey games. He also enjoyed walking the pier in Grand Haven and eating ice cream. Howard loved watching his children and grandchildren’s music and sporting events, exercising (and socializing ) at the Y, playing card games and dominoes, and being an enthusiastic fan of all sports in the state of Michigan - from Little League to professional teams, with a particular emphasis on local high school and college teams.

This life really began after he spent two years serving in the Army in Oahu, Hawaii at Schofield Barracks where he earned commendations for rifle precision. Upon leaving the Army, Howard returned to his job at Keebler Baking Company on 28th Street in Grand Rapids where he would work a total of 42 years, many of those working six days a week, serving as the union chief steward, and never uttering one complaint about his job for four decades. It was in 1965, shortly after returning home from Hawaii, Howard took a trip to Washington D.C. to see his friend Ken Fex who was in the army there. Ken wanted to introduce Howard to someone, Donna Jean Schroeder. Upon discovering Donna Jean was living in Grand Rapids, with lots in common, they started dating after both returned home. Their first date? A Michigan State football game in the afternoon, a hockey game in Muskegon, and dinner. If there were any doubts in Donna Jean’s mind about Howard’s area of interest, they were quickly dispelled on that first date. A little over a year later, on September 10, 1966 they were engaged and three months later, December 10, 1966, they became Howard and Donna Peterson.

The family life began in 1971 with the birth of son Kurt, who quickly gained a brother, Kevin in ‘72, and the boys gained a sister, Karen, in 1975. The whirlwind was underway. Howard was the ever-involved dad in his kid’s activities. Howard was there, whether it be playing catch, coaching their teams, or just being a steady presence. The family trips were many, often arranged around Howard’s union meetings. To California, where they drove the Pacific Coast Highway from San Diego to San Francisco and made stops at Disneyland, Sequoia National Park, the Hearst Castle, and other tourist destinations on the west coast. Howard wanted a van, with carpeting covering the interior (no seatbelts required), and in that brown and gold beauty a trip to Texas, Louisiana, and Gulf Shores, Alabama where Donna Jean’s brother and family lived. A trip to Disneyworld in Orlando became a family favorite as did many northern Michigan trips, Mackinac Island, the U.P., and lake trips. When son Kurt and his wife Lisa were living in Ecuador, Howard and Donna Jean had memorable trips highlighted by meeting granddaughter Ana.

Howard had dozens of lifetime friends, his YMCA guys who drank in more coffee than they sweat out, his church group the “Sandy's Donuts guys” with older brother Mel, his football chain gang, and play by play work at Kenowa Hills High School with his brother Darrell, and an endless supply of golfing buddies. Not to mention those Peterson family reunions that outnumbered the population of many Michigan towns.

In 2008, Howard and Donna Jean joined her brother Herm and Mary Schroeder on a trip to Denmark, France, and Spain with Bjarne and Else Wind. Bjarne, from Copenhagen, was a high school exchange student with Herm in the 1960s. It was the trip of a lifetime bringing everyone a lifetime of beautiful memories.

Howard was a man who never met a stranger, and who thoroughly enjoyed meeting and talking to people from all walks of life. He always had time to talk, even when he didn’t. The people he touched were fortunate because H.P. was a special person with deep faith and a caring heart.

Howard was predeceased by his parents, Art and Mabel, in-laws Donald and Doris Schroeder, brother, Ken (Doris) Peterson, sister, Evelyn (Frank) Moxon, brother, Darrell Peterson, and sister-in-law Mary Schroeder. He is survived by his wife of 56 years Donna Jean, son Kurt and Lisa Peterson of Chicago, son Kevin and Jessica Peterson of Ada, Michigan, daughter Karen and Corey Hirdes of Jenison, Michigan, brother Mel and Donna Peterson of Grand Rapids, sisters-in-law Pat Peterson and Beveny Collins of Grand Rapids, and brother-in-law Herm Schroeder of New Bern, North Carolina.

Grandchildren Simon and Ana Peterson, Jack, Reese, and Blake Peterson, and Raya and Owen Hirdes. And dozens of nieces, nephews, and cousins.

While Howard’s health failed him the last couple of years he truly missed worshipping at First Covenant Church and fellowshipping with his church family, a family that included people of all ages.

Howard requested memorial contributions made to Portage Lake Covenant Bible Camp, 4158 Camp Delight Rd., Onekama, Michigan 49675. The camp has been a special place in Howard’s and his family’s life as a place to relax, socialize, and deepen their faith.