WATHENA, Kan. – Evan A. Peterson Jr., M.D. was born on Dec. 25, 1924, in Chicago, Illinois, to Evan A. Peterson Sr., M.D. and Elizabeth (Walstrom) Peterson. He passed away Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019, at Mosaic Life Care.
In 1942, he joined the Navy, and graduated from high school and reported to the US Navy as an apprentice seaman.
In 1943, Evan attended Midshipman School – Abbott Hall Northwestern University, graduated as a naval ensign, then was shipped overseas to New Guinea, then on to the Philippines.
He was discharged from the US Navy in 1946.
In 1950, Evan graduated from University of Iowa with a bachelor of science degree.
He graduated from University of Iowa in 1955, with his medical degree.
Evan started full time practice in Wathena and St. Joseph, in 1956.
Dr. Peterson structured the first Kindergarten classroom, in Wathena, in 1956.
In 1963, he joined the Missouri Air National Guard 139th, at Rosecrans.
In 1966, he graduated from Air Force Primary Course of Aerospace Medicine.
Dr. Peterson served as president medical/dental staff in St. Joseph, Sisters Hospital, in 1970. He served as president medical/dental staff at Methodist Medical Center, in 1975.
In 1980, he passed the American Board of Family Practice.
From 1980 to 1989, he served as Missouri State air surgeon.
Dr. Peterson retired from the Missouri Air National Guard, 139th Rosecrans, in 1989, with Federal rank of Colonel and State of Missouri rank of Brigadier General. I
n 1989 to 1990, he served as president medical/dental staff at Heartland Regional Medical Center.
In 1994, in efforts to recruit physicians to the area, Dr. Peterson sold his practices to Heartland Regional Medical Center, now known as Mosaic Life Care as the first clinic.
Dr. Peterson retired from Medical Practices in 1997.
Dr. Peterson’s passions were: serving his country, his community, his patients, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
As a hobby he enjoyed fishing, gardening and watching the Kansas City Chiefs.
He was preceded in death by: his parents, Evan A. Peterson Sr. M.D. and Elizabeth (Walstrom) Peterson; his brother, Robert W. Peterson; and a sister, Elizabeth M. (Peterson) Bersch.
He married Lois (Theis) Peterson, surviving.
Children: Anita Diane Newton, Judith (William) Horsch, Evan A. Peterson III, Eric (Thelma) Peterson, Karen (Brad) Conger and Sheryl Chambers; nine grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; and sister, Julia Ingrie (Peterson) Burham.
Rosary will be at 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5, 2019, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, with visitation to follow until 8 p.m.
Mass: 10:30 a.m. Friday, Dec. 6, 2019, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church.
Burial: Mount Calvary Cemetery, Wathena.
Friends may call after noon Wednesday, at the Harman-Rohde Funeral Home, in Wathena.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: St. Joseph’s Catholic Church and the Wathena EMS, both of Wathena.
