Gary Peterson

Gary Martin Peterson, 81, passed away from complications due to lung cancer on Tuesday, July 29, 2025. His family was by his side.

He was born June 8, 1944, in Washington, D.C., the son of Ralph and Ruby (Jack) Peterson. He grew up in Camarillo, CA and graduated from high school there. In 1967 Gary earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in German from Upper Iowa University in Fayette, IA.

He became a father when his son, Ross Jack, was born in 1975 while he was married to Patricia Badtke. On December 28, 1996, he married Mary Frances (“Francie”) Horras and began their life in West Des Moines, Iowa. Their son, Alex Joseph, was born in 1999 when Gary was 55 years old. He never let being an older father get in the way of being a great father to his younger son.

Gary’s first job after college was with the Cedar Rapids Gazette, where he remained for more than 18 years as a reporter, state editor, city editor, and financial editor. Gary took a brief break from the news business to become the campaign manager and later the area administrator for U.S. Representative Tom Tauke in 1979-1980. In 1984 he was part of the group that founded the Gazette’s Iowa Farmer Today, a statewide newspaper that focused exclusively on the issues facing Iowa Farmers. He then spent two years as a news editor for the Oxnard Press-Courier in California.

In 1989, he joined Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. in Des Moines. During his 11 years, he was in leadership roles in internal and corporate communications, and investor relations. In 2001 he began working for Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield in corporate communications until he retired in late 2008.

Despite his success in other organizations, Gary always said the best job he ever had was being a “newspaper man.” His co-workers describe him as a tough editor, a stickler for the facts, and a terrific writer and mentor. He loved the news business.

Gary had a great sense of humor and loved a good joke—the more off-color, the better. He always rooted for the underdog, was a generous gift-giver, and bragged about his sons to anyone and everyone who would listen. They were a great source of pride to him.

What he loved: Bob Dylan’s music, a good steak, a shot of whiskey (or two), his daily crossword puzzles, California and the ocean, hunting, Canada fishing trips with Ross, discussing current events with Alex, being a grandparent, and watching football, basketball, and tennis on TV. In his younger years, he was quite the pool shark, a skill that allowed him to earn extra money during college. He also loved being part of Francie’s family; Gary always contributed fun and laughter to their gatherings.

He was a true romantic who often brought Francie flowers and wrote her many love letters and poems. A thoughtful, sentimental guy, Gary wasn’t afraid of showing his emotions.

Survivors include his wife of 28 years, Francie Peterson (West Des Moines); two sons, Ross (Jenilee) Peterson of Lakeville, MN, and Alex Peterson (and fiancée, Kate) of Kansas City, MO; and two grandchildren he loved, Nola Elizabeth Peterson and Henry Jack Peterson of Lakeville. He’s survived by his younger sister, Joan (Terry) Gabriel, of Mesquite, NV. He was preceded in death by his parents.

The visitation and memorial service both take place at Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home in Urbandale, IA. The visitation is from 4 to 7 pm on Friday, August 8; the memorial service is at 10 am on Saturday, August 9, followed by a meal at New Hope Assembly of God church in Urbandale.

Memorials can be made to two Des Moines-area charities: Orchard Place or Hope Ministries.