Gene Victor Peterson

HAMILTON - Gene Victor Peterson, 81, of Hamilton passed away Sunday, June 27, 2010 at his home of natural causes. He was born September 9, 1928, the son of Lars E. and Rosetta V. (Smith) Peterson, on his parents homestead located in the Sapphire Mountain Range. Gene attended Dominic Elementary School.

In 1948 he took over the family homestead and began farming and ranching. In 1953, Gene moved down into the Bitterroot Valley northeast of Corvallis where he continued ranching. In 1956, he married Martha L. Stager of Gresham, OR and together they raised 4 children on their ranch.

Gene enjoyed collecting firearms, gardening and attending auctions. He also enjoyed the outdoors, hunting, fishing and camping.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents, his sisters, Mildred and Arlene; and his son, Michael. He is survived by his wife Martha of Hamilton; his sister, Frieda and her husband Bob of Spring Valley, CA; son, Mark and wife Sylvia and their children, Garrett and Emma all of Corvallis; son, Robert of John Day, OR and daughter, Susan of Coos Bay, OR.