Esther Peterson, of Dawson, died on Tuesday morning, February 9, 2010, at the Appleton Nursing Home in Appleton, at the age of 83. Funeral service will be at 1:00 PM, Saturday, February 13, at the Hope Reformed Church in Montevideo with Pastor Mike Altena officiating. Interment will be in the Dawson Cemetery. Visitation will be on Friday, February 12, at the Hanson & Dahl Funeral Home in Dawson from 5-7:00 PM, with a closing prayer service at 7:00. Esther was born on November 3, 1926, on the farm she was raised on near Benson, to William and Edna (Zick) Buhr. She first learned about God's love and teachings at Redeemer Church in Danvers. She attended District #75 and Appleton High School. Esther was united in marriage to her loving husband, Kenneth R. Peterson, on September 16, 1945, in Milbank, SD. To this union, they added three children: Joan, Dale and Sandy. They eventually settled on the farm of Kenneth's parents southwest of Dawson, where they resided for approximately 33 years. She and Kenneth were baptized at Lake Cochran while attending the Full Gospel Church in Canby. Kenneth passed away on May 13, 1986, and 5 years later, she bought a house on Pine Street in Dawson, where she resided for 19 years. She moved to Riverside Manor Apartments in November of 2009, where she enjoyed the company of many friends. Throughout her years, she was involved in homemakers, craft clubs, Bible studies, circles at the churches she attended, and was Vice President and President for the Senior Citizens Group in Dawson for the past 15 years. She was an avid reader and loved embroidery, gardening, playing bingo and cards, and also enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and spoiled them all endlessly. She was a faithful follower of Jesus' teachings and was our "prayer warrior." She is survived by children: Joan Melde of Montevideo, Dale (Kay) Peterson of rural Canby, and Sandy (David) Gamble of Avon, MN; 8 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren: DeDe (Ryan) Snyder, Joshua, Jessica, Jacob and Joey; Dean (Heidi) Melde and Jonah; Danny (Tami) Melde, Samantha, Emily and Sydney; Robin (Chad) Enstad, Kayla, Taylor, Rose and Gabriel; Dawn (Travis) Gores, Haley, Devin, Logan, and Scott; Destiny Peterson(daughter of Scott Peterson); Missy (Tracy) Primus, Wyatt, and Isaac; Kenny (Lis) Gamble, Kodi, Keane, Kyle and Mollie; and Brad (Jen) Gamble and Sierra; brother, Wallace (Ellen) Buhr of rural Dawson and sister, Shirley (Jerry) Smedstad of San Diego, CA; brother-in-law, Donald Anondson of Redding, CA, and sister-in-law, Linda Buhr of East Bethel, MN; aunt, Evie Zick of Morgan, MN; and numerous nieces, nephews, other family and many friends. Preceding her in death were her parents; husband, Kenneth; brother, Gerald Buhr; sister, Audrey Anondson; grandson, Scott Peterson; and great-grandchildren: Zachary Gores and Nicholas Primus. Blessed be her memory.