Amy Peterson

Amy Peterson, age 70 of Spirit Lake, IA, died Tuesday, July 7, 2026, at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, July 15, 2026, at the Lakeshore Center at Okoboji with Pastor John Hanna, officiating. Livestream Link

Amy Kathleen (Brown) Peterson was born November 6, 1955, in Boulder, Colorado, the daughter of Edward and Ruth (Rakow) Brown. Amy grew up in Brighton, Colorado where she attended school and graduated from Brighton High School in 1974. She continued her education and graduated from Colorado State University. Amy gave of herself to make a career as a probation officer for Adams County in Colorado until she retired. She was united in marriage to Bill Peterson in September of 1983 at Reno, NV. They made their home in Brighton until they both retired and then moved to Hawaii for seven years and then they moved to Palm Springs for the next 6 years. Her beloved husband, Bill died in 2020 and after his death she moved to Lake Okoboji, Iowa. Amy had many fond memories of Lake Okoboji from her younger years; her family often would spend time at a Manhattan Beach Resort. Amy was an active individual, participating in PEO, the Senior Center, Dickinson County Republican Party and her church. Over the years, she enjoyed traveling with Bill and her family, they often enjoyed cruises to many destinations making lasting memories. She also enjoyed golfing, going out for dinner, happy hour with family and friends and hosting “game night” which may include bingo, poker or scrabble. Amy loved her brothers dearly, Mitch and Harris and her nephews, Jake and Joey along with all her family and her many dogs throughout her life. She will be greatly missed.

She is survived by her brothers, Mitch Brown of Okoboji, IA and Harris Brown of Spirit Lake, IA; two nephews, Jakob (Sophia) Brown of Dallas, TX and Joseph Brown Waukee, IA and his girlfriend (Georgina).

Amy was preceded in death by her husband, William “Bill” Peterson and her parents, Edward and Ruth Brown.