Cortland D. Peterson

Cortland D. Peterson, 98, of Mason City, passed away peacefully Tuesday, November 26, 2024, at the Westview Care Center in Britt, Iowa while under hospice care. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, December 7, 2024, at 10:30 a.m., at First United Methodist Church, 119 S. Georgia, with Rev. Melanie Greengo officiating. Military Honors will be conducted by the Mason City Veterans Association. Interment will follow in Elmwood-St. Joseph Cemetery. A visitation will be held from 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the church. 

Cortland was born on October 4, 1926, in Pocahontas, Iowa, the son of Cliff and Elsie Peterson. Cort was the devoted husband of Velva Peterson for 71 years. Beloved father of Becky and Brent, and cherished grandfather to two grandsons and four great granddaughters. 

On June 6, 1944, after graduating from Pocahontas High School, Cort enlisted in the United States Navy. He was stationed on the Island of San Clemente off the coast of California. When Cort was home on leave from the Navy, he met Velva Silver who was teaching elementary school in Pocahontas. 

Upon completion of his military service in June 1946, he enrolled at Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois. Cort and Velva were married on June 15, 1949. Velva continued her teaching career in Davenport while Cort completed his Bachelor of Arts degree at Augustana. 

A teller at the First State Bank in Webster City was the beginning of a long career in the banking industry. Cort was a state bank examiner in several Iowa districts before being transferred to the main office of the State Department of Banking in Des Moines. He felt privileged to serve on several bank boards and was involved in an independent banking partnership in the private sector before retiring at the age of 62. 

Traveling to watch his grandsons play high school and college football was a priority resulting in many wonderful memories. Fishing in northern Minnesota was Cort’s favorite hobby which he felt blessed to share with his son, grandsons and close friends. 

As the years passed, Cort and Velva enjoyed spending winters in Florida, traveling to Hawaii several times and vacationing in Europe. 

Left to cherish his memory are his daughter, Becky Murray; son, Brent (Donna) Peterson; his grandchildren, Chad (Alisha) Murray and Jon (Erin) Murray; and his great granddaughters, Torri, Tia Carrigan, and Delaney. 

He was preceded in death by his wife, Velva Peterson; parents, Cliff and Elsie Peterson; brother, Calvin Peterson; and son-in-law, Chris Murray. 

The family is deeply appreciative of the wonderful care that the staff at the Westview Care Center provided for Cort. We will always remember their kindness. 

Those planning on expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorials to MercyOne North Iowa Hospice or the First United Methodist Church in Mason City.