Gordon Peterson, 80

Gordon Peterson, 80, born Dec. 20, 1945, to Ira Nicholas and Caroline Kraft Peterson in Kalispell. He attended St. Mathews School in Kalispell until eighth grade in 1960. The family moved to Polson that summer and Gordon graduated from Polson High School in 1964. He worked for a couple years, then attended the University of Montana Western. He was then drafted into the Army in 1969 until 1970. He was honorable discharged as an E4 11B20 light weapons infantryman so he could continue his studies at University of Montana Western. 

His passion was cabinet building and furniture making. He went to California for few years and made great changes in his life while there. He eventually came back to Polson for the remainder of his life. During the holiday season he would build rocking chairs for local children. His joy was seeing their faces light up when he gifted these chairs to them. 

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, mother, father, stepfather and one brother, Ira Peterson. 

He is survived by two brothers, Melvin Peterson and Harvey (Leanor), two sisters, Gloria Morgonjones (Dewi) and Rose Cloninger (Lowell Alcock) as well as many nieces and nephews. He will be greatly missed. 

A celebration of life will be held from 11 a.m-1:30 p.m. on May 9 at the Elks in Polson. Honor guards will be outside at 11:30 a.m.