By ROWENA PLETT

Staff writer

Burdick Oil, Feed, and Fertilizer was a mainstay on Burdick’s Main St. for many years. So, also, is the Peterson name.

Owner and operator Jim Peterson joined his father, Earl, in the business in 1972. Earl had operated it since 1949.

The business no longer sells feed and fertilizer but continues as a service shop.

Jim and his wife, Marilyn, were grand marshals for Burdick’s Labor Day parade Monday. They have been married 55 years.

Jim is on the volunteer fire department. He has run an antique store since 1992. Signs along U.S.-56 point the way.

The couple are members of Hebron Lutheran Church, where they served as youth leaders. They directed Burdick Fun Run for 13 years and remain active in Burdick’s Relay for Life.

They have two children, Mike and his wife, Angie, of rural Topeka, and Jamey and husband, Matt Dalke, a Hillsboro native. They have three grandchildren, and three step-grandchildren.