Daniel Gordon Peterson, age 76, of Waupaca, Wisconsin, passed away on Wednesday, September 16, 2026.
Dan was born on May 11, 1950, in Waupaca, the son of the late Gordon and LaNah (Telfer) Peterson. Dan had been with his wife, Colleen Murphy, for 40 years.
He graduated from Waupaca High School as part of the class of 1968. In June of 1970, he proudly joined the United States Army, served his country during the Vietnam War, and was discharged as a Specialist 4. He worked as a Disamatic Operator at the Waupaca Foundry for 38 years and was a lifelong member of the Waupaca VFW. Upon retirement, he enjoyed tinkering with his scrap. He was a collector of many things. He also enjoyed scuba diving, going to the casino, and metal detecting.
Dan is survived by his loving wife Colleen Murphy; children Gretchen (Scott) Stewart and Abby (Randy) Miller; grandchildren Libby (Michael) Springstroh, Tristen Peterson, Mallory Stewart (Ezra B.), Cooper Miller, and Maggie Miller; great-granddaughter Odessa Springstroh; and step-grandchildren Zach Stewart, Sophie Stewart, and Tyler Stewart. He has many treasured friends including Eric Brehmer, who gave Dan's family eight extra years with him, his wife Susan Brehmer, and his lunch buddies Dicky and Dave. He is also survived by his sister Dee Dee Cook, his sisters-in-law Karin Williams and Mary Beth Murphy, brothers-in-law Ed (Karen) Murphy and Kevin (Kaye) Murphy, and many nieces and nephews. He had a particularly close bond with his nephew George Neubauer.
He will be remembered and missed by his family, friends, and all who knew him.
A Memorial Service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, September 25, 2026 at Holly Funeral Home in Waupaca, WI. Visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. until time of service. Interment will follow at Central WI Veterans Memorial Cemetery in King. Come dressed as you are; Dan
wasn't fancy.
