Memorial services for Clayton Dean Peterson, 79, of Hayward will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at Hayward Lutheran Church. The Rev. Josh Enderson will officiate. Interment will be at Hayward Cemetery. Friends may greet the family at 9 a.m. Friday until the time of the service at the church. Online condolences are welcome at www.bayviewfuneral.com.

Clayton died Saturday, Oct.21, 2017, at Good Samaritan Society of Albert Lea.

Clayton Dean Peterson was born Feb. 9, 1938, in a private home on First Street in Albert Lea, the son of Clifford R. Peterson and Olive L. Olson-Peterson.

A lifelong resident of Hayward, Clayton graduated from Albert Lea High School in 1956. Clayton was a street maintenance engineer for the city of Albert Lea for 34 years before retiring in 2003. He previously worked at Paul Olson Construction, Freeborn County Co-op LP Gas and Hayward Cemetery lawn service with his children.

He was chief of the Hayward Township Fire Department for more than 15 years. Clayton was also a member of Hayward Lutheran Church, Hayward 4-H, Albert Lea Future Farmers of America, Freeborn County Fire Association and the Fraternal Order of Eagles.

He participated in league baseball, softball and bowling, and enjoyed hunting and fishing. Clayton really enjoyed playing cards and telling stories. He played Whist at least once a week for the last few decades.

Since his retirement, he had breakfast every weekday morning with friends.

Clayton is survived by his children Mark (Luis) Peterson of Lantana, Florida, Dean Peterson of Hayward, Jill (Troy) Heeren of Hampton, Nebraska, and Jay Peterson of New Carlisle, Ohio; grandson, Joshua (Laine) Kovac, of Jacksonville, Florida; granddaughters Julia Jones and Breanna, Samantha and Sophia Heeren of Nebraska; great-granddaughter, Scarlett Kovac, of Jacksonville; sisters Mavis Miller and Shirley (Richard) Kraushaar, both of Austin; brother, Charles Peterson, of Albert Lea; sisters Darlene (Blaine) Hoar of Royal, Arkansas, and Gayle (Earl) Neist of Albert Lea; and a community of neighbors and friends from Hayward, the Eagles and local fire departments.

Clayton was preceded in death by his parents; sister-in-law, Mary Peterson; and brother-in-law, Raymond Miller.

In lieu of flowers, donations are preferred to Hayward Lutheran Church, Hayward Township Fire Department or Hayward Cemetery.