Dennis Peterson Obituary

Dennis Michael "Mickey" Peterson, Jr., age 63, of Flandreau, passed away at his home on Monday, June 30, 2025. Funeral services will be held at 11:00AM on Monday, July 7, 2025 at Eastman Hall in Flandreau. An all-night wake service will begin at 7:00PM on Sunday, July 6, 2025 also at Eastman Hall.
Mah'piya Icah'tagya "Touches the Clouds," Dennis "Mickey" Michael Peterson was born to Julia "Judy" Allen and Michael Peterson February 1, 1962 in Aberdeen, SD, a proud member of the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe, and began his journey to the spirit world on June 30, 2025.
As a young boy, Mickey showed the drive and work ethic that would define his entire life. He was the very first kid in Aberdeen to join the "Rent-A-Kid" program-a local effort that paid youth to help with outdoor chores and yard work for neighbors who needed an extra hand. While most kids saw it as just a way to make a few dollars, Mickey took real pride in the work. Whether he was mowing lawns, raking leaves, or hauling brush, he gave it his all. That early experience wasn't just a job to him-it was the beginning of a lifelong commitment to helping others and taking pride in a hard day's work.
On June 14, 1990, Mickey welcomed his three sons, Joe, Michael, and Dion Peterson. On January 3, 1992, Mickey welcomed his fourth son, Daniel Peterson. On July 29, 1993, Mickey welcomed Jennie "Sunshine" Peterson. In the late 1990s, Mickey met his beloved partner, Stephanie Red Buffalo, to which they resided in Flandreau and welcomed their daughter, Lavonna "Baby Bunny" Peterson-Red Buffalo on April 25, 2001. Mickey took pride in being a father and loved his children, Joe, Michael, Dion, Daniel, Jennifer, Lavonna, and LaTanya very much. Though he earned his GED rather than taking a traditional academic path, Mickey was one of the most capable and hard-working men you'd ever meet. He had a natural mechanical talent-able to fix cars, appliances, and just about anything else with moving parts. But his skills didn't stop there. He took great pride in his landscaping work, transforming yards into beautiful, well-kept spaces, especially the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribal campus where he worked for over 25 years with nothing more than a weed-eater, a mower, and sheer determination. Whether he was covered in grease or dirt, he was always moving, always working, and never one to sit still. His hands built a life, and his work ethic was unmatched-a quiet, steady example of strength and dedication.
Mickey was also passionate about his hobbies such as crosswords, specifically the ones that came with no words, to which he stated they were too easy for him, and only had to cheat a few times. He also loved to get model cars, building them and taking the time to airbrush them inside and out intricately. He also really appreciated Joyce Meyer books that gave him daily affirmations and prayers. He lived by her virtues on life, such as "living day by day" and "not taking anything to heart." Mickey had a deep love for music, especially the timeless voices of Elvis Presley and Al Green. Whether it was "Suspicious Minds" coming from the garage radio while he worked on an engine, or the smooth sound of "Let's Stay Together" drifting through the house on a slow Sunday morning, music was always a part of his world. He admired the soul, passion, and honesty in their songs-music that said something real. If you ever caught him tapping his foot or softly singing along, you saw the joy it brought him. Those songs weren't just background noise-they were part of the rhythm of his life, a quiet comfort that stayed with him through the years. Mickey was also an avid sports fan. His favorite football team was the New Orleans Saints; and he loved to watch UFC.
Grateful for sharing his life were his mother, Julia "Judy" Allen of Flandreau, SD; his sons, Dion and Daniel Peterson (grandchildren, Shyne, Serenity, Seth, Zayne, Myla, Mallory), ND; his daughters, Jennifer Peterson, ND, Lavonna Peterson-Red Buffalo (Romeo and Yuki), Flandreau, SD, and LaTanya Red Buffalo (Layton Wanna), Sisseton, SD; and his brother, Corey Peterson, Flandreau, SD.
He is preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Raymond and LaVerne Allen; paternal grandparents, Elijah and Amelia Peterson; father, Michael Peterson; his beloved, Stephanie Red Buffalo; sons, Joe and Michael Peterson; brother, Geoffrey Peterson; sister Denise Hammer; and nephew, Brenden Hahn. He is also welcomed to the spirit world by many relatives.