Funeral Service for Brian Curtis Petersen is 10:30 AM, Thursday, April 30, 2026, Cresbard Methodist Church, Cresbard, SD with Pastor Tom Sumers officiating. Interment will be in the Cresbard Cemetery immediately following the Funeral Service. Family and friends are invited to the Cresbard Community Center following the interment for a time of lunch and fellowship
Visitation is 5:00 to 6:30 PM, Wednesday, April 29, 2026, at Schriver Funeral Home, 720 N. 6th Street, Ipswich, SD. A Prayer Service will follow the Visitation with a time of sharing.
Brian (Buzz) Curtis Petersen was born on November 5, 1982, in Ipswich, SD to Mark and Peggy Petersen. Born with Down Syndrome, he had to work harder for everything, but he did it all with a happy, resilient demeanor. He was raised on the family farm northeast of Cresbard and attended school in Cresbard, SD. He graduated from Cresbard High School in 2002 where he was active in Chorus and the Special Olympics.
After graduation, Brian moved to Aberdeen. He started out in a group home and quickly moved to an apartment after realizing he liked his own space. He spent his days with peers and working at the Adjustment Training Center (now Aspire). Brian held other jobs around Aberdeen throughout the years, such as cleaning tables in the food court and vacuuming at Herberger’s in the mall, folding laundry at the AmericInn, working as a cashier at the Family Dollar store and washing dishes at Kessler’s. Brian took a lot of pride in his work and despite never having an alarm clock, he always made it to work.
When he was not at work, you could often find Brian riding his tricycle to the nearest gas station to buy a pop or watching professional wrestling on television. Brian enjoyed bowling and lifting weights until he got “too old,” as he would say. He also found joy in attending stockcar races with his dad. He loved spending time with family and seeing people he knew, and he was always ready to go out to eat. Brian was a bright light that taught everyone around him the true meaning of unconditional love and connection.
Brian died Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Avera St. Luke’s Hospital in Aberdeen, SD.
Brian is survived by his father Mark Petersen of Cresbard, his mother Peggy Petersen of Aberdeen, his brother Brett Petersen of Cresbard, his sister Darcie (Mark) Ranum of Gardner, ND, and his brother Jered Petersen of Cresbard; three nieces, Ellen and Aspen Ranum and Maggie Petersen, whom he adored; his grandmother Ellen Petersen of Cresbard and a large circle of family and friends that will miss him deeply.
He was preceded in death by his grandfather Wendell Petersen of Cresbard and his grandparents Willis and Beverly Lien of Veblen.
There is no dress code, but guests are welcome to wear blue and yellow—or mismatched socks—in honor of the Down Syndrome community.
Schriver Funeral Home, 720 N. 6th Street, Ipswich, SD, is honored to serve the Petersen family.
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