Peter Alan Lerdal, 64, of Sioux Falls, passed away peacefully on September 4, 2026, following a battle with pancreatic cancer.

Peter was born September 18, 1961, in Dell Rapids, South Dakota, to Richard and Joyce Lerdal, the baby of their five children. He married his high school sweetheart, Jill Headrick, on June 23, 1984. For Peter, there was never anyone else. They shared 48 years side by side. In November 1992, they welcomed their only child, Marta.

Peter spent over 42 years with the City of Sioux Falls Parks Department as a Park Maintenance Mechanic before retiring in April 2025. For 33 of those years, his work followed the seasons, with summers spent at the City’s Park Shop and winters at Great Bear Ski Valley. Known as “Pete of all trades,” there was very little he couldn’t build, repair, or figure out. On any given day at Great Bear, he could fix a lift, get the internet working, and serve you a mean cocktail. Great Bear became much more than a workplace to Peter. It was his community and second home.

Peter was a quiet man who mostly kept to himself, but when he spoke, people listened. They knew what he had to say would be meaningful, helpful, logical, or unexpectedly funny. Often, he didn’t need to say anything at all. Anyone who knew Peter knew “the look,” always delivered over the top of his glasses, that told you exactly what he was thinking. He gave it freely, including to his granddaughter, Noa, who never seemed particularly intimidated by it.

Outside of work, Peter loved good music, gadgets, and anything involving a motor, especially if it gave him something new to figure out.

Nothing meant more to Peter than family. He was an excellent husband, a perfect dad to Marta Davis, and the very best grandpa to his only grandchild, Noa Joyce. Her laugh was one of his favorite sounds in the world.

Peter is survived by his wife, Jill; his daughter, Marta (Jordon) Sterrett; his granddaughter, Noa Sterrett; his brothers, Mike (Apidee) Lerdal and Don (Darla) Lerdal; his sister, Debra (Pete) Hoeger-Lerdal; and his brother-in-law, Steve VanAartsen. He is also survived by Jill’s sisters and their spouses, who were his family for nearly five decades; “the gang,” their close-knit circle of longtime friends; and many other beloved family members and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Richard and Joyce Lerdal, and his sister, Patricia VanAartsen.

A memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, September 11, 2026, at Great Bear Ski Valley, followed by a celebration of life at 4:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made at https://shop.greatbearpark.com/donation. Donations made in Peter’s honor will be divided between the Lerdal Family Scholarship at Great Bear and a scholarship established in Peter’s name for students in the Ski Area Management program at Gogebic Community College.