Howard Peterson

OCEAN PARK — Howard Marion Peterson was born on Feb. 12, 1942, to Howard and Violet Peterson in Woodland, Washington, and died Oct. 18, 2023.

After graduation from Battleground High School in 1960, he spent time working in Spokane, Washington, and batching with several friends his age. In 1963 Howard married Glenda Schuster of Spokane and lived in Four Lakes, Washington. They adopted baby Paula and later had two more children, Darla and Kevin. Sadly, Howard and Glenda divorced.

Howard went on to get his nursing degree. He was employed nursing at an industrial company in Spokane Valley and several years working at Eastern State Psychiatric Hospital in Medical Lake, Washington. He later practiced nursing in Astoria, Oregon and other places on the coast. As time went on, Howard became his parents’ caregiver in their latter years in Seaview, Washington. He lived in the family home there later. During that time, he took up delivering papers in the early morning hours. For many years, his routes included both sides of the Columbia River in the Astoria/Chinook/Ilwaco areas. Howard also loved his time spent on the beaches gathering driftwood, cutting it and selling firewood to Long Beach tourists.

Howard renewed his love and vows to his faith in serving the living God and had peace in his last several years. Open heart surgery and diminishing health took him to live at Golden Sands assisted living home in Ocean Park, Washington. In his last months, Howard suffered dementia and moved to Coastal Care Assisted Family Home in Ocean Park, where he had the best of care with Amber Jacobs and her team of care staff.

He was preceded in death by his parents. Howard is survived by two siblings, Ken (and Ruthie) Peterson of San Antonio, Texas, and Dorothy (and Steve) Den Herder of Sitka, Alaska; his wife Glenda Peterson of Four Lakes, Washington; three children, Paula [Happi], Darla [Nicki], and Kevin; as well as grandchildren, nephews, nieces, cousins and many friends.

His siblings, Ken and Dorothy, thank all the staff at both care facilities and the Ilwaco Hospital for their patience, tireless efforts, and loving care. Special thanks to the friends at the Beach and Astoria for their faithful care and love for our brother, Howard.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023 at 1 p.m. in the Historic Chinook School Gymnasium, a reception will follow. Messages of condolences can be made on Penttila’s Funeral Home website www.penttilaschapel.com.