Donald E. Peterson

Donald E. Peterson, age 96, of Madison, passed away peacefully on December 19, 2024, at home after a long illness. He was born October 30,1928 in Kewanee, Illinois son of Emil and Ruth Peterson. He married Marion Starostka on December 27, 1947, in Kewanee. The marriage lasted 77 years. 

Don’s life mirrored the American Dream. His father was a glove cutter at Boss Glove Company and lost his job in the Great Depression. Don remembered the relief truck distributing food boxes. His family lived with his grandmother. They had no indoor plumbing. Don carried water from a nearby well; the outhouse was shared with neighbors. 

At 11, he started his first job, delivering newspapers. He also worked detasseling corn. During World War II’s labor shortage, he was a railroad gandy dancer maintaining the rails. After high school he was employed by United Airlines and then Aetna Insurance in Chicago where he gained exposure to early computers. In 1948 he was hired by Oscar Mayer Co. in Davenport, Iowa as a data processing supervisor. Their mainframe computer in the dimly lit basement filled the room. Don later remarked that today’s cell phones are more powerful than that machine. Drafted into the Korean War in 1951, the Army posted him in Washington, DC using his skills in data processing to assist the war effort. In 1956 Oscar Mayer promoted Don to Madison to centralize the computer operations. He spent 40 years with Oscar Mayer, retiring as Vice President, Information Services. A high school varsity football player, Don was a life-long sports aficionado, a diehard Chicago Cubs and Bears fan; and attended every Badger home football game for over 40 years. Don loved golf. He frequented the Blackhawk Country Club until he was 94, sometimes tallying scores low enough to match his age. He also volunteered with the Boy Scouts, Meals on Wheels, the United Way, Oakwood, WHA, Independent Living, and the Ronald McDonald Home. He volunteered with the International Executive Service Club, providing free consulting services to organizations in developing countries. He and Marion worked in Paraguay helping a cotton company manage their computer systems. He was an active member of Covenant Presbyterian Church for 67 years. 

Don is survived by his children Mark (Erica) Peterson, Gary (Lynette) Peterson and grandchildren Cassia (Jason) Naify, Chad (Amanda Swanson) Peterson, and Garrett Peterson. 

He is preceded in death by his parents, Emil T. Peterson, and Ruth (Krause) Peterson. 

We will celebrate Don’s life in 2025, arrangements pending. Memorial gifts may be made payable to the “Presbyterian Foundation” at Covenant Presbyterian Church to support the Don and Marion Peterson Ministry Fund, which assists children and victims of domestic abuse, or to a charity of your choice. 

Please share your memories here on Don's Tribute Wall.

Cress Center

6021 University Ave. Madison

(608) 238-8406