Peter Estrem

Tuesday, August 23, 2016 2:37 pm

Peter Estrem, 46, of Waterloo, formerly of Decorah, joined his father in Heaven Sunday, Aug. 21, 2016, at the Allen Hospital in Waterloo. Services were at 11 a.m., Wednesday, Aug. 24, at Washington Prairie Lutheran Church in Decorah, with Rev. Dr. Jennifer Edinger officiating. Organist was Paul Bruvold.  Hymns were “Children of the Heavenly Father” “Gentle Shepherd” and “Go Now in Peace.” Arrangements were handled by Schluter – Balik Funeral Home, Decorah. Interment was at Washington Prairie North Cemetery in Decorah.

Peter Lyle Estrem was born Nov. 15, 1969, to Paul and Lois (Gipp) Estrem in Waukon. Peter attended Decorah elementary school and was an up-and-coming athlete, active in football and wrestling as well as being a horn player with the Decorah Kilties. In Nov. of 1982, while at a wrestling meet in West Union, Peter suffered a cardiac arrest, during which he stopped breathing for a period of time, resulting in his extensive brain damage. Peter’s first care facility was Gundersen Hospital in La Crosse, Wis., where he stayed for six months to recover from his coma. After he was well enough to be discharged, he relocated back to the family farm until the discovery of the Ann Carlson School for disabled children in Jamestown, N.D., where he lived until 1990. Upon graduation, Peter was at an age where it was time to move to a more permanent home and it was then he was invited to Harmony House in Waterloo, where he lived for 25 years. Peter’s infectious smile and laughter touched everyone who met him. Whether in La Crosse, Jamestown or Waterloo, he was surrounded by staff which cherished every moment with him. In 1988, he was dressed in a cap and gown and escorted across the stage by his classmates for his Decorah High School graduation commencement. He was also prom king at Ann Carlson! Peter was a man with many passions. He was Iowa’s biggest Hawkeye fan and he loved going to the stock car races. He enjoyed fishing and always had to catch the biggest fish. He was an avid shopper and was always on the hunt for music, CDs and movies. No morning began without Bob and Tom on the radio. He enjoyed watching hockey and Minnesota Twins play. Peter was also a very sensitive man who wore his heart on his sleeve. If he noticed someone was unhappy, he wanted to know why.

Peter’s survivors include his mother Lois Estrem Decorah; four brothers: Chris Estrem, Ketchum, Idaho, Steve Estrem, Midland, Texas, Mike Estrem, Decorah, Jason (Leslie) Estrem, Minneapolis, Minn. and many aunts, uncles and cousins.

Peter was preceded in death by his father, Paul, Aug. 11, 2010; his grandparents, Charles and Elizabeth (Viste) Estrem and Elmer and Edith (Sersland) Gipp; and his uncle Gordon and his cousin Ethan.