Obit: Peterson, Allan (1936 – 1974)
Contact: Duane Horn
Email: capperhorn@centurytel.net

Surnames: Peterson, Heyd, Zeman, Spangler, Apahamian, Schneider, Bichanich, Radcliffe, Mueller, Potter, Fox, Hunter, Casper, Laabs, Holt, Day, Meek, Clark, Bjerke, Rasmussen, Davis, Van Gorden, Hoonsbeen

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Peterson, Allan (12 Apr. 1936 – 25 Apr. 1974)

Moose Peterson Dies in Motorcycle Accident.

Alan "Moose" Peterson, 38, prominent Black River Falls car dealer, was killed in a motorcycle accident at 5:50 p.m. Thursday, April 25, 1974, on County Truck "E" about seven and a half miles northeast of Black River Falls. His death was ruled Jackson County's first traffic fatality in 1974.

Funeral services were conducted Sunday afternoon from the Evangelical Lutheran Church with Pastor Thomas Heyd officiating. Burial was in Riverside Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers were Steven Schneider, Frank Bichanich, Robert Radcliffe, Harold Mueller, Albert Potter and Everett Fox. Honorary pallbearers were William Hunter, Orville Casper, Jerry Laabs, James Holt, Wesley Meek, John Day, Jack Clark, Donald Bjerke, James Rasmussen, George Davis, J. Bruce Van Gorden and Jerry Hoonsbeen.

Peterson is survived by his wife, Betty: three children, Roger, Paul and Beth; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Peterson; and one brother, Arlen, all of Black River Falls.

He was born April 12, 1936 in the township of Albion, Jackson County. He graduated from the Black River Falls high school with the class of 1954. After spending some time in the service, he returned to Jackson County and, prior to entering the automobile business in Black River Falls in 1958, was the manager of the O'Hearn Auto Company at Melrose. He married Betty Zeman July 5, 1958.

In addition to the automobile business, Peterson had become will know as a stock car driver; and, in more recent years, as the sponsor of some highly successful stock cars.

According to investigating officer Steve Spangler, Peterson apparently lost control of the motorcycle on a straight stretch of road about a half mile north of the rod and gun club. Spangler said the motorcycle apparently flipped twice and Peterson was killed almost instantly.

Peterson and his cousin, Peter Peterson, also of Black River Falls, were returning from Marshfield when the accident occurred. Peter was riding a separate motorcycle.

Jackson County Coroner Dr. Charles Apahamian ruled the death accidental.