Joseph "Joe" Peterka, 74, of Grand Forks, ND passed away Sunday, September 5, 2021, at his home in Grand Forks.

Joseph Kenneth Peterka was born on July 16, 1947, in Pisek, ND the son of James and Evelyn (Jestrab) Peterka.  He was raised in Pisek and graduated from Pisek High School in 1965.  Joseph entered the United States Army on January 4, 1967 and served his country in Vietnam.  He was honorably discharged from active military service on August 14, 1969, at St. Louis, MO. Joseph returned to Grand Forks and went on to serve in the United States Army Reserve and the North Dakota Army National Guard, until his full retirement from military service on September 24, 1996. During this time, he attended the University of North Dakota and graduated in 1973 with a Bachelor's degree in Speech Pathology and Audiology.

Joseph married Juanita Morgan on June 19, 1971, in St John Nepomucene Catholic Church in Pisek, ND.  They resided in Grand Forks and in 1973, Joseph began his employment as police officer with the Grand Forks Police Department.  He retired in 2005, after 31 years of service to the community of Grand Forks.

Joe enjoyed going to the lake, boating, hunting, snowmobiling, water skiing, snow skiing and working on his yard.  Above all, he loved his family, making as many memories as possible with his kids and grandkids.  His favorite time of the year was Christmas.  He loved decorating the yard with lights, Santa on the roof, reindeer in the yard and took special pride with his display of a life like manger.  He enjoyed celebrating Christmas Day with both sides of his family and cooking everyone's favorite foods.  He did this for over 35 years.

He was a member of the American Legion Post 208 in Pisek, ND and a longtime and active member of Holy Family Catholic Church in Grand Forks.  He assisted as an Usher, a Sacristan and as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion.

He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Juanita; his children, Jason (Amanda Wixo) Peterka, Tim (Crista) Peterka and Angela (Troy) Poitra; grandchildren, Colton, Brianna, Carter, Desa, Mila, Iva, Beau, Autumn, Jackie, Shane and Jacob; siblings, Sharon (Mrs. Lowell) White, Jim Peterka, Jr., Phyllis (Mrs. Stan) Moses, Terrance Peterka, John Peterka, Becky (Mrs. Robert) Wichman, Francis (Susan) Peterka and Leslie (Ginger) Peterka; his mother-in-law, "Cookie Grandma", Bridgett Studney and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Mass of Christian Burial: 2:00 p.m. Monday, September 13, 2021, in Holy Family Catholic Church, Grand Forks, ND.

Visitation: 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Sunday with a 7:00 p.m. vigil service in the Historic Norman Funeral Home Chapel.  Visitation will continue for one hour prior to the liturgy in the church on Monday.

Burial: Calvary South Cemetery, Grand Forks, ND.

Military Honors: Accorded by members of the American Legion Post 208 and the North Dakota Army National Guard.

Police Honor Guard :  Police Officers of the Grand Forks Police Department.