Dr. Kenneth Bradley Peterson was born November 6, 1953 in Sioux Falls, SD to Andie and Marie (Kelly) Peterson. He was the youngest of 5 children. He grew up the son of a candy salesman and spent his childhood helping fill the candy truck for the many routes of Andie’s Candies. He married Agnes Sandvik (Steffens) in 1971 and had his first child, Ami, that same year. He grad uated from Washington High School in 1972. Through the ROTC program, he then continued his education at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where he welcomed two more children, Aby and Brad. He enrolled in Medical School at the University of South Dakota from 1976-1980. During this time, his fourth child, Anders, was born. Soon after, he became an active-duty member of the US Army following his graduation from medical school. The family was stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, where he completed his residency and welcomed his fifth child, Bekka in 1982. Dr. Ken Peterson was then transferred to Wildflecken, Germany as the Chief Medical Officer on the Wildflecken Army Base and a physician at Wurzburg Army Hospital. In 1986, he left the active army and joined the SD National Guard to allow him to begin private practice at Brown Clinic in Watertown, SD. On October 3rd,1992 he married Cheri (Mikkelsen) Peterson. They continued to live in Watertown where they welcomed two children, Kahlie and Sydney. Throughout this time, he continued to work at Brown Clinic and was promoted to Colonel/06 and became the highest-ranking military member in the state of SD. In 2001, he accepted a position at the VA Hospital in Fort Meade. The family lived on Ft. Meade for many years and then moved to Sturgis where he continued with the Army National Guard in the Rapid City Division. In 2003, he was activated into the army with his National Guard medical unit for deployment in Kuwait and Iraq. He completed a second tour in 2005 and retired two years later after serving 29 years. He continued to work at the VA for several more years. Dr. Peterson completed his medical career working in Bowdle HealthCare Center, Black Hills Urgent Care in Spearfish and Rapid City and then part time at the VA in Ft. Meade and Hot Springs. He thoroughly enjoyed all the people he worked with throughout his career. He fully retired from his medical career just a few weeks before his death.
As a father, he found great pride in raising his seven children to be independent thinkers. He was intentional in exposing his children to the world and its opportunities. He consistently encouraged them to figure things out and find ways to make an impact. With any activity his goal was not only to enjoy the activity but teach his children how to do the activity on their own. He was a man of few words, but of great influence.
He loved spending time with his family, reading, golfing, skiing, hiking, biking, fishing and hunting. He particularly enjoyed coaching his children in sports and cheering them and his grandchildren on at their many sporting and life events. He was a lifelong gardener who enjoyed sharing his harvest with others while fiercely protecting it from the deer and rabbits. After devoting his life to serving others, he had hoped to spend his retirement traveling with his wife, visiting vineyards, downhill skiing, hiking, fly fishing and volunteering through Habitat for Humanity. Unfortunately, cancer had other plans. He lost his battle on March 17, 2025.
Kenneth Bradley Peterson is survived by his wife, Cheri (Mikkelsen) Peterson, his 7 children; Ami (Jeff) Anderson, Aby (Erik) Froiland, Brad (Janet) Peterson, Anders (Jennilee) Peterson, Bekka (Marc) Lewis, Kahlie (Ben) Schanilec, Sydney (Colton) Hipple, 15 grandchildren; McKenzie, Jakobi, Ella, Adyson, Jonas, Hailey, Gavin, Aspen, Piper, Hudson, Reese, Oakley, Jenson, Briar, Callahan, mother-in-law, Marcella Mikkelsen, 2 brothers Al (Tina) Peterson, Ron (Ellie) Peterson, sister-in-law, Bianca (Daryl) Peterson, brother-in-law, Don (Cheryl) Breit and several nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Andie and Marie Peterson, brother, Daryl Peterson and his sister Cheryl Breit.
Visitation will be Thursday, March 27, 2025, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at Kinkade Funeral Chapel, Sturgis, South Dakota. Interment with military honors will be at Black Hills National cemetery.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.kinkadefunerals.com.
