Duane Edwin Peterson, 84 | Bonner County Daily Bee

Duane Edwin Peterson of Priest River died at Newport Hospital on Sunday, July 18, 2021. He was 84 years old.

Duane was born on January 21, 1937 in Priest River, Idaho, to Edwin George Peterson and Mary Ethel (Brumley) Peterson. The family lived on Highway 2 Albeni Falls, Oldtown, Idaho when he was born. He attended school and graduated from Priest River High School, where he was a basketball player. He then married Jeanine E. Loris of Priest River and they moved to Oldtown where they had two children, Trevis and Elizabeth.

He has had numerous jobs, including two years in the US Army, returned home to open his own auto repair shop, worked in body repairs, was a welder, and served on Oldtown City Council. Soon after, he got a job at the Albeni Falls Dam and moved to Priest River. He was a mechanic with the US Army Corps of Engineers at Albeni Falls Dam, where he worked until his retirement.

Over the years Duane attended the Church of Jesus Christ in Priest River and was involved in many church functions, was a member of the Lions Club in Priest River, and invested in many rental properties in Priest River and Oldtown. Duane will always be remembered for helping family members, friends, and the community build, fix, and fix everything. He was the ultimate handyman, there was nothing he couldn’t fix.

Duane was always out and about, enjoying doing as much as possible, helping others on weekdays after work, getting firewood, going to the movies with his children, tending his orchard and garden, picking blueberries and fruit, canning making, smoking meat and meat products, fishing in the streams, hunting, fetching firewood, bowling, playing golf, making wine, looking after his chickens, pigs, cows and emus, and restoring his old and newer vehicles. On the weekends, he went to stock car races, horse races, camping to get more firewood, shoot traps, and visit family and friends. It was only in his sleep that he stopped moving.

Duane married Linda (Rex) Peterson in 1988 and they continued the fast-paced lifestyle mentioned above until they separated in 1994. He then met Charlene Patterson and they continued his busy lifestyle, building their dream home together, sourcing more firewood, spending time on their mountain, playing cards and dominoes with friends, and enjoying camping at the Johnson Ranch. They had a wonderful life as partners until Charlene passed away in 2018. After her death, he slowed down as he had severe lung problems, so mowing the lawn was the last great passion he could still practice and he kept mowing until the end.

Duane leaves behind his two children and their spouses Trevis and Susan Peterson as well as Elizabeth and Jim Barker; his grandchildren, Tiffany, Clark, Luke, Matthew, Laura; and his great-grandchildren, Ivy, Mason, and Dallas; and also numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Duane preceded his parents Edwin and Ethel Peterson; his sisters Leonna Baker, Daunice Baker, Shirley Wylie, Darlene Dionne, and Karen Heffling; and first wife, Jeanine Peterson.

Duane did not ask for any service, his words were (I don’t want any sobs crying over me). For all of us, he just wanted to be reminded of how he was doing before he got sick. Duane’s wish was that whoever thought of him would only have one drink for him.

Sherman-Campbell Funeral & Cremation Services in Priest River is responsible for the preparations. Family and friends are invited to sign up for the online guest book at shermancampbell.com.

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