The Weekend Cutter

Our Dear Friend Roger Lewis Peters, age 79, of South Sioux City, Nebraska passed away peacefully at his home on Sunday December 12, 2010.
      
      Roger was born on September 22, 1931 in Sioux City, Iowa the son of Chester L. and Mary M. (Hunt) Peters. The family lived in Sioux City, until Roger was 12 years old when they moved to Hartington, Nebraska. They worked as a together as a family in a small cafe now known as the Chief Bar. Roger graduated from Hartington High School with the class of 1949.  Following his graduation from high school he worked for a period of time for the REC, where he helped establish electrical service for the western part of Nebraska.  He then entered the United States Navy serving on the USS Swensen, as a radar man off the coast of Korea during the 4 years of service to his country.
      Roger was united in marriage with Laurine Harris at the Congregational Church in Hartington, Nebraska on August 13, 1952 during a fourteen day leave he had from the Navy.  This union was blessed with two daughters, Debra and Conni.

      After Roger was discharged from the service, he moved to Sioux City, where he assisted his parents in their management of the Biltmore Motel and Restaurant, as well as purchasing the Grandview Lockers, which he ran for ten years.  In 1965, Roger began working for the Zenith Radios Industrial Division which produced motors for commercial and industrial use. In 1967 Roger began selling life, health, and accident insurance, but his real passion was showing cutting horses. Laurine suggested that they start the Equine Mortality Line of insurance. Roger was so fortunate to combine his love of horses with insurance sales. Because their clientele was related to a money sport, Roger served as an insurance agent for many celebrities.
      Roger semi-retired 20 years ago from the insurance business, but continued promoting Roger Peters Livestock Insurance, by showing cutting horses all over the nation, while Conni his youngest daughter stayed in the office and held down the fort. In 1982 his loving wife Laurine died of cancer. In 1990, Roger traveled with his horse for the NCHA World, where he placed 11th in the world in the non-pro division. 
 Roger was a very fortunate to meet Lisa Gaskill, who shared his love of horses, and the two were united in marriage on June 17, 1996 in Sioux City. The couple shared their love of horses and cutting shows, along with promoting the insurance company.  They would winter in the southern states, always participating in shows and sharing good times with the many friends that they had become acquainted with at these gatherings.  Roger’s served the state of Nebraska, as national director of the NCHA, and served as a cutting horse judge for many years. Rogers’s goal of being inducted into the non-professional division of National Cutting Horse Hall of Fame was achieved in 1999, becoming the 43rd person to receive this prestigious award.
     Roger was a member of the Homer United Methodist Church. He also enjoyed boating, camping, attending horse shows, and especially enjoyed the time he could spend with all of his family, however one of things he enjoyed most was traveling the USA looking for the perfect barbeque ribs, as he always had a passion for smoking his own ribs with his special ability.
     Roger will be missed by his wife Lisa of South Sioux City, his two daughters, Debra Peters of Sioux City, and Conni Peters of Sioux City.  He is also survived by his two grandchildren Stacy Atlas and Barret Lynch, his two great-grandchildren Ella, and Ally, his sister Mary Sue David and her husband Wayne of Omaha, Nebraska, and his beloved Boston Terrier Dixie who provided much laughter and companionship during his illness.
     The family requests that in lieu of flowers that memorials in Roger’s name be made to Hospice of Siouxland or STARS riding academy.