Norman Peterson Obituary

Peterson
Norman Franke
Peterson
January 30, 1938
August 17, 2023
Norman Franke Peterson died on August 17, 2023 in Colorado Springs from West Nile virus. He passed peacefully with his wife, son, and two daughters by his side. He was 85. Norm Peterson was a family man, a great friend, a true gentleman, and a person of integrity.
Norm was born in Lemmon, South Dakota on January 30, 1938. He often told stories of his childhood in Lemmon. From hunting rabbits on the prairie to dinners at home with state leaders and ranchers who came to consult with his father, a civic leader and bank president. From early on, Norm had a joy for life, marked by his involvement in many activities. In high school, he played offense and defense for the football team, and marched with the band during halftime. As "Teen of the Month", he was described as ". . . the boy with a wonderful personality, fine attitudes, and happy disposition." In many ways, these traits held true through his life.
In 1956, Norm left Lemmon for St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota. His entrepreneurial spirit became clear at St. Olaf where he cut hair in the dorm (undercutting the local barber who complained to the college), sold sandwiches, and started "Freshman Faces" - a popular publication that continued for decades. He chaired the college's Honors Council. In 1960 he co-led a demonstration against South Africa's apartheid which is believed to be among the first in the United States. After graduating Phi Beta Kappa, Norm moved to Minneapolis to attend graduate school in economics at the University of Minnesota, while he simultaneously owned and managed a roofing business. Most important, while living in Minnesota, Norm met the love of his life and his best friend - Lynn Kathleen Ostebo. They married on October 10, 1964.
Consistent with his adventurous spirit, he moved to the growing community of Colorado Springs just before marriage to begin a career in mortgage banking. He served in the U.S. Army reserves during the Vietnam War era. He was a patriotic person.
In 1981, after working for Exchange National Bank for 13 years, Norm launched his own mortgage business out of his home. It was a challenging time to start a mortgage business with interest rates of 17.5%. But, with hard work, business acumen, and changing economic conditions, Norm's business grew. At its peak, Intermountain Mortgage employed 150 people. Norm viewed mortgage banking as a personal calling as much as a profession. He believed in home ownership, and his leadership in county home loan bond programs helped many first time home buyers. He sold the company in 1998 and finished his banking career as Kirkpatrick Bank's Colorado branch president in 2011.
Norm enjoyed time with family, golfing, fishing, bowling, and playing trombone in a band with friends. On his many outings he was ready with a joke and made people feel warm and comfortable. As to golf, he shot his age at 81 and 82. He was a fervent reader with a particular appreciation for westerns and international spy novels.
Norm is preceded in death by his parents, Carney and Sylvia Peterson, and his brother Vincent who died in 1967. He is survived by his wife Lynn, his three children: Kirsti, Tania (husband Erik Kraai), Erik (wife Lauren Urgenson), and six grandchildren: Haakon, Elliott, Max, Menno, Meira and Orli and his niece Stephanie Mowdy.
A memorial service will be held in remembrance of Norm at First Lutheran Church in Colorado Springs on September 8, 2023, at 2 pm. The service will be live streamed on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@firstlutheranchurchcolorado/streams.
In memory of Norm Peterson's commitment to helping others, contributions can be made to Lutheran Family Service Rocky Mountains, Salvation Army Colorado Springs, Colorado Springs Youth Symphony Association.