65667_Rev. Norris M._Peterson
Norris M. Peterson, 85, of Moline, IL, a retired Covenant pastor, died Tuesday, April 02, 2013, at Genesis Medical Center, Illini Campus, Silvis, IL.
Memorial Services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 27, 2013, at First Covenant Church, 3303 41st Street, Moline, with Rev. Darin Youngs and Rev. Randall Surey officiating and a reception following the service at church. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Per his wishes cremation rites will be accorded. Memorials may be made to the William L. Peterson Fund for Continuing Education at North Park Theological Seminary, 3225 West Foster Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60625. Esterdahl Mortuary & Crematory, Ltd., Moline, is assisting the family with arrangements.
Norris was born on June 11, 1927, in Bradford, PA, to Covenant pastor Rev. William and Hildur Peterson, and also grew up in Philadelphia and Fort Dodge, IA. He attended North Park Junior College (AA), University of Minnesota (BA) and North Park Theological Seminary, graduating in 1951. He was ordained in 1953. He also completed coursework for a Master’s degree at Michigan State University in 1966. On July 13, 1957, he married Geraldine Deater of Muskegon, MI.
He planted Covenant churches in Mason City, IA (1947-48), Lansing, MI (1951-67), and Kalamazoo (Westside), MI (1980-87). He also served Covenant churches in Fresno, CA (1967-72), Bellevue (Highland), WA (1973-79), and Twin Lake, MI (1987-97). He retired in 1997 after 50 years of pastoral ministry. He and Gerry settled in Grand Rapids, MI, for 13 years and then moved to Moline, IL, to be near their daughter. While in Grand Rapids he was a pulpit supply pastor in twelve churches plus Covenant Village of the Great Lakes.
He is survived by his wife, Geraldine; a son, Gregory (Venisa), of Ludington, MI; a daughter, Patricia Youngs (Darin), of Bettendorf, IA; three grandchildren, Wesley, Grant, and Garrison; and a sister, Sharon (Ralph) Anderson, of Peoria, IL.
He was preceded in death by a brother, Covenant pastor Dr. William Peterson, Jr., of St. Paul, MN, in 2003.