Harry J. Peterson, Jr.

Harry James Peterson, Jr. passed away peacefully with his wife of nearly 66 years Betty (Bernasek) Peterson by his side.   He was born April 17, 1938 in Great Falls, Montana to Harry J. Peterson Sr. and Helen M. (Maki) Peterson. 

His family lived modestly in a small house beside the Missouri river living off the land by growing their own vegetables, feed for the horses and a milk cow and raising chickens for meat and eggs. Despite their humble beginnings, life along the Missouri river with his three siblings provided a happy childhood during the WWII era where many experienced great hardships.  Harry attended public schools in Great Falls and graduated from Great Falls High school in 1956. He would return to the banks of the Missouri river throughout his adulthood for the beauty, trout fishing and solitude the river afforded him. 

Harry served in the Montana Air National Guard from 1955 to 1961. During this time, he met his bride and life partner Betty Bernasek whom he married on September 10, 1958 at First Presbyterian Church, Great Falls, MT.  His Memorial Service and Celebration of Life will be held in this same sanctuary. 

Together Harry and Betty moved with their young children to Bozeman for college. They both graduated from Montana State College (now Montana State University) in Bozeman, MT in June 1963 with a B.S. in Industrial Engineering for Harry and a College of Nursing B.S. degree for Betty. 

The family of four left their beloved Montana for Washington State where he began working for the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton, WA. 

Six years later, Harry transferred as a Civil Servant with Naval Sea System Command to NAVSEA Headquarters in Washington, DC.  After completing 30 years of work that included travel to Hawaii, Puget Sound, Boston, Norfolk and other major shipyards with the Federal Government, he retired in July, 1993. He received many service awards for his work in the eight naval shipyards over his career.  He especially enjoyed his inspection trips to each one of the shipyards which included eating lobster in Maine and sharing the beaches and beauty of Hawaii with Betty. 

Harry’s greatest achievement was raising his three children Brett, Kris and Marty. He is survived by his wife Betty, their three children Brett (Cindy) Peterson of York, PA, Kristine (Martin) Wilson of Merritt Island, FL and Marlin (Susan Kowalenko) Peterson of Westfield, NJ plus 8 grandchildren Denise (Dan) Anderson, Caitlin (Eric) Detzel, Darcey Wolf, Elliot Wilson, Andrew Wilson, Audrey Peterson, Chelsea Peterson and Zack Peterson; plus 4 great grandchildren Isla, Lily, Isaiah, and Lucia.  Harry is also survived by his brother Don (Donna) Peterson of Tucson, AZ numerous nieces and nephews and many cousins mainly in Montana, Minnesota, and Finland.

Harry is predeceased by his parents Harry Sr. and Helen, his brother Robert (Red) Peterson, and sister Helen Snyder.  

Upon his retirement he and Betty spent 22 years traveling in their 50-foot, 5th wheel trailer that allowed them to visit all 50 states including Alaska, nearly every National Park, much of Mexico and most of Canada.  They also toured 5 of the 7 continents including most of Europe, Asia and Scandinavia via bus and riverboats, as well as Russia, China, Australia, and New Zealand.  Harry also enjoyed cruising through most of the Caribbean Islands where he hiked and snorkeled.  Harry especially enjoyed his summers in Montana visiting his relatives and he spent many hours catching 20” or larger trout in the Missouri River near Great Falls. 

Harry was a devoted husband and caring father. He was always eager to lend a helping hand with home improvements, auto maintenance, and to any project that presented him with an engineering challenge. He enjoyed coaching his children in youth sports. He played men’s softball, golfed, enjoyed bowling, and handball, as well as hunting, cycling, hiking, exploring new areas of our great country, and spending time with family. 

He was a member of First Presbyterian Church, Great Falls, MT and Riverside Presbyterian Church, Cocoa Beach, FL.  In addition, he was a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks for 60 years. 

He was involved in many church activities over the years serving as an Elder, singing in the choir, and attending weekly bible studies. 

In lieu of flowers, a contribution in Harry’s name can be made to the memorial funds of either the First Presbyterian Church, Great Falls, MT or the Riverside Presbyterian Church, Cocoa Beach, FL. 

The Memorial Service and Celebration of Life will take place at First Presbyterian Church, Great Falls, MT at 1:30 PM (3:30 PM EDT) on October 5, 2024.  A reception will follow the service in Fellowship Hall.  The following live stream links of the service will be available for those unable to join in person:

Facebook Link to Memorial Service and Celebration of Life 

YouTube Link to Memorial Service and Celebration of Life

First Presbyterian Church, 1315 Central Avenue Great Falls, MT  59401  

(406-453-1411)

Riverside Presbyterian Church, 3400 North Atlantic Avenue, Cocoa Beach, FL  32931  (321-783-6085)