Andrea Peterson

Andrea Peterson, age 85, of Wall, South Dakota, died on Wednesday, April 15, 2026 at Scotchman Living Center in Philip.

Andrea Joyce Peterson was born to Minnie and Andrew Qualm on October 20, 1940, in Bonesteel, SD. She graduated from Rapid City Central High School in May of 1958 and married Gary A. Peterson on July 10, 1958. Gary and Andrea enjoyed their family and friends of ranch and rodeo over the 68 years they were together.

“Grandma Pete” was known for her love of “great horses” and she instilled an eye for detail and competitiveness in ALL her children and grandchildren because of this family gene. She was fierce and loyal to the ranch life industry and the rodeo world. She was the G.O.A.T. of timekeeping and it was never an oddity to find others in the stands coming to her to check on their time and their “chances”.

She loved her family, her horses, her cats and her dogs. Most of her stories included one of them. Mom remembered horses’ names and bloodlines as well or better than names of people and the places she had traveled. She loved springtime and its flowers as it meant it was almost rodeo time!

Andrea is grateful to have shared her life with her husband Gary Peterson of Wall; her two daughters, Lori (Greg) Shearer of Wall and Lona (David) Neal of Indianapolis, IN; her one son Randy “Herm” (Lois) Peterson of Rapid City; two nephews; seven grandchildren; and a host of other great-grandchildren, relatives, and friends in the community and the rodeo world.

She is preceded in death by her parents Andrew Qualm and Minnie (Stamer) Qualm; one brother Jim (Arlene) Qualm; and one sister Janet (Larry) Ticknor.

A memorial visitation will be held 4-6 p.m. Thursday, April 23, 2026 at the Rush Funeral Chapel in Wall.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to the Scotchman Living Center in Philip. Cards and memorials may be sent to P.O. Box 324 Wall, SD 57790.

Arrangements are with Rush Funeral Home of Wall.