Vernon Peter Peterson

Vernon Peter Peterson, 88, of Hornick (formerly of Sioux City), passed away on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, at a local hospital in Sioux City, Iowa.

A Memorial Service will be held at 1:00 PM on Thursday, March 5, 2026, at Christy-Smith Funeral Homes, Morningside Chapel (1801 Morningside Ave) with a Visitation taking place one hour prior. His final resting place will be at Memorial Park Cemetery.

Vernon was born on March 13, 1937, in Sioux City, Iowa, to Carl and Isabella (Nelson) Peterson. He graduated from East High School in 1955. Vernon married his first wife, Kay Ann Jones, in Los Angeles, California. The couple were together until her passing in 1972. Vernon found love again, and married Betty Jean Guffy in 1974 in Sioux City, Iowa. Vernon and Betty were married for over thirty years before her passing in 2007.

Vernon served as a Sioux City Firefighter from July 1965 to December 1977. He worked in the body shop at Hoak Motors and also owned his own body shop called “Paint in Place.” He was a member of the International Association of Professional Firefighters, Retirement Group Now.

Vernon is survived by his son, Shawn (Delma Conlon) Peterson of Hornick; son, Kyle Peterson of Dakota City; daughter, Karen Peterson; sister-in-law, Fran Peterson; 16 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.

His is preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Isabella; his first wife, Kay; his second wife, Betty; sisters, Joyce Cox, Delores Anderson, and Barbara Gordon; and brothers, Bill, Robert, and Paul.