Theodore "Ted" A. Peterson

Theodore ‘Ted’ A. Peterson, 88, of Rockford, IL, passed away peacefully on January 11, 2025, at his home, surrounded by his wife and children. Born September 2, 1936, to Ruth and Alvern Peterson in Racine, WI, he had a lively childhood with his sister Karen and numerous cousins, performing in school shows and the Boy Scout Drum and Bugle Corps. He was a star athlete and attended Ripon College on a football scholarship. As offensive lineman number 64, he and his Redmen teammates became renowned for winning the MWC championship with a perfect 8-0 record in 1957. Until recently, Ted kept in touch with his teammates and planned annual homecoming events.

After graduating from college, Ted served four years in the United States Army Corps. He then met and married Lorraine A. Anderson on December 3, 1960, recently celebrating 64 years of marriage. After settling in Rockford, IL, he began a career in electronics and security system sales. Ted and Lori had three children: Lisa, Ted, and Tom. Despite the hectic schedule of a traveling salesman, he was always involved in some way—whether it was with his sons’ Boy Scout troop camping trips, coaching Little League, organizing ski trips, serving as PTO president, or volunteering on the church council. On occasion, he took his family along on road trips while working and could navigate anywhere in the country from memory! He later became the sole owner of various distributorships and employed all of his children at one time or another, even his granddaughter.

Throughout his life, Ted was an avid Green Bay Packers and Wisconsin Badgers fan. As a season ticket holder, he spent over forty years meeting his childhood best friend, Gary Swiden, in Madison to watch Big Red. He also loved dogs and was granddad to many, along with his faithful buddy, Wags.

A highlight of his life was spending time visiting and eventually residing in Fairfield Glade, TN, where he and his wife enjoyed boating and made many special friends. In 2010, they returned to the Rockford area.

He was a faithful servant and is now resting in peace. He is survived by his wife, Lori; daughter, Lisa Peterson-Doll (Henry); son, Tom Peterson (Pam); and granddaughter, Zoe Doll. He was predeceased by his parents, Ruth and Alvern Peterson; his sister, Karen Stoll; and his beloved son, Ted Peterson.

A special thank you to Northern Illinois Hospice for helping our family navigate Ted’s last weeks. Cremation will take place at Honquest Family Funeral Home with Crematory, and his ashes will be laid to rest at the Christ Lutheran Church columbarium in Fairfield Glade, TN. No service has been arranged at this time.

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