Fredrick J. Peterson was born on October 12, 1963 in Sisseton, SD to Charles Henry Peterson Jr and Sheral Ducheneaux.
Fred joined the Airforce 1982 after graduating from Todd County High School in Mission, SD. Married Donna Mae Peterson (Valandra) on August 26, 1982 in Justice of Peace.
They later had Lacey Rose Peterson on their 3rd anniversary August 26, 1985. On February 16, 1987 they welcomed their 2nd baby girl Lucy Ann Peterson.
Fred was Staff Sergeant in the Air Force and was stationed in Omaha, NE from 1982 to 1986. He was later transferred to Ellsworth Airforce Base in 1987. He later retired from the Airforce in 1992. He moved his family to Mission, SD on the Rosebud Reservation where he and wife Donna bought land and a home together. From this time forward he had worked many small jobs for a while before working for BIA Enrollment as a Enrollment Specialist, then moving forward to the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Fire Department as a Logistics Specialist. He was with the fire department for 10 years before deciding to leave and transfer over to the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Tecro Office as Compliance Officer. He later left and became a Supply Technician for the IHS in Rosebud, SD for a few years. Later decided to transfer to a Night Security Guard for IHS and he retired in 2015 due to his health.
He became a grandfather in 2003 from Lacey welcoming his first grandbaby named Joslyn Valandra. Then in 2010 his daughter Lucy became a “Hunka” relative with his second grandbaby MacKenzie Montoya. Lacey went on to have Robert Tracey Peterson Ghost Bear in August 2012, Vernon Keith Peterson Ghost Bear in January 2014 and Clarence Levi Peterson in July 2018. He raised many nieces and nephews on his wife Donna’s side of the family. According to Donna’s youngest sister, April Farmer said “ He was the best brother in law ever”. He was very close to his brothers Charles Henry Peterson III, Warren Ray Peterson Sr and James Peteson Sr always laughing, joking and smoking. He had always looked up to and admired his older sister Jolene Peterson.
He has so many nephews and nieces from his brothers and sister. PT Black Lance, Wanbli Black Lance, Anuka Black Lance, Dru Peterson, Warren “Ray” Peterson Jr, Kevin Peterson, Kelvin Peterson, Lovey Peterson, James Peterson Jr. Then he was grandpa to all of their beautiful babies.
Fred was a spiritual person always attending sweats, ceremonies and sundances. He later became a Chunapa (Pipe) carrier. He was a helper to Chubbs Black Bear, who later made him a nephew. Fred had learned a lot from Chubbs how to tend to a sweat, prepare and keep it going. Fred had become very wise, honoring the traditions and living by the sacred rights of the pipe.
Fred was a loving father, husband, uncle, brother, grandfather. A hardworking, dedicated and loving man. He would do anything for the people he loved.
Fred passed away from health complications at the young age of 62. He was preceded in death by his wife Donna Mae Peterson (Valandra), Father Charles Henry Peterson Jr, Mother Sheral Ducheneaux, Brothers Charles Henry Peterson III and Warren Peterson Sr.