Leslie Wayne Peterson, 93, of Brookings, died Thursday, September 8, 2011 at the United Retirement Center in Brookings, SD. Funeral services will be held at 10:00am, Thursday, September 15, 2011 at Brookings Wesleyan Church in Brookings, SD, with burial at Richland Cemetery in Mina, SD at 3:00pm. Visitation will be held from 4:00pm to 7:00pm, Wednesday at Rude's Funeral Home in Brookings, SD. Leslie W. Peterson was born on October 12, 1917, in Cartersville, Montana, the son of Ernest and Elsie (Mount) Peterson. Wayne moved to South Dakota with his parents at the age of three. He attended elementary school in Union Township, Edmunds County and attended high school at Mina, SD. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in education at Northern State College. He then served in the United States Navy and served time aboard the ship in the Atlantic Theater of War and later in the Pacific to finish his term of duty. He was united in marriage to Alma Sollie on October 31, 1943, at the Richland Church. Wayne continued his education at USDS and received his Master's degree in education in 1961. He worked in a wood shop in Redfield for several years before he began his teaching career in various high schools in South Dakota. In 1957, he moved to Brookings, SD, where he taught in the Brookings Middle School for 11 years and in 1969, he took a teaching position at Dakota State College. He retired in 1983 as a professor Emeritas. Alma died on July 10, 2005, in Brookings. Wayne and Alma enjoyed 61 years of marriage together. Wayne was saved and joined the Wesleyan Church at the age of 16. He was a lifelong member of the Wesleyan Church and served in many capacities. He was a member of the Brookings Wesleyan Church, the VFW, Golden K, South Dakota Education Association and the Brookings Education Association. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening, woodworking, painting and reading. He is survived by his daughter Nancy Peterson, of Taos, New Mexico, his son Dwight (Bonnie) Peterson, of Connor, MT; five grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; eight great grandchildren; one brother Steven Peterson of Anchorage, AK; one special niece Ann Sollie Wine and one special great niece. Wayne was preceded in death by his parents, wife, one sister Olive.
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