Eugene Pete The Cop Petersen
March 8, 1929 — October 3, 2008
Eugene Alfred "Pete" Petersen, was born on March 8, 1929 to Alfred and Clara (Bald) Petersen. He grew up on the family farm three miles north of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Jacksonville, Iowa.
Pete was united in marriage to Janell Christensen. Three children were born to this union: Shirley, Betty, and Alfred. He served from 1951 to 1953 in the United States Army in law enforcement, stationed at Fort Hood, Texas. Pete earned the nickname "Pete the Cop" and carried that name through his many years serving in law enforcement. After his honorable discharge from the military, he served the Harlan Police Department for twenty-two years. He went to Manilla, Iowa, for two years as a police officer before returning to the farm.
He returned to police work in Irwin, Iowa, before spending ten years as town policeman in Shelby, Iowa. On June 11, 1988, Pete was married to May Delle Engelmann. He retired in 1990 to the homeplace in Jackson Township. Pete enjoyed his fishing trips, riding motorcycles, and taking trips to Branson, Missouri. He took pride in his grandchildren, his tractors, and farming. Pete received his fifty-year membership pin with the American Legion Helmer Reyelt Post No. 150.
Pete died on Friday, October 3, 2008, at Myrtue Medical Center in Harlan, Iowa, having attained the age of seventy-nine years, six months, and twenty-five days. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Russell.
He is survived by his children: Shirley and her husband Ken Olson of Harlan, Iowa, Betty and her husband Erwin Erickson of Ames, Iowa, and Alfred Petersen of Nora Springs, Iowa; four grandchildren; other family members and many friends.
A funeral service was held on Monday, October 6, 2008, at Pauley Jones Funeral Home in Harlan with Pastor Ron Rasmussen leading the 10:30 AM service. Casket bearers were Gene Cavanaugh, Ivan Hansen, Roger Erickson, Tracy Olson, John Kelly, and Gary Steinkeuhler. Military rites were held at the Harlan Cemetery.
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Pete was united in marriage to Janell Christensen. Three children were born to this union: Shirley, Betty, and Alfred. He served from 1951 to 1953 in the United States Army in law enforcement, stationed at Fort Hood, Texas. Pete earned the nickname "Pete the Cop" and carried that name through his many years serving in law enforcement. After his honorable discharge from the military, he served the Harlan Police Department for twenty-two years. He went to Manilla, Iowa, for two years as a police officer before returning to the farm.
He returned to police work in Irwin, Iowa, before spending ten years as town policeman in Shelby, Iowa. On June 11, 1988, Pete was married to May Delle Engelmann. He retired in 1990 to the homeplace in Jackson Township. Pete enjoyed his fishing trips, riding motorcycles, and taking trips to Branson, Missouri. He took pride in his grandchildren, his tractors, and farming. Pete received his fifty-year membership pin with the American Legion Helmer Reyelt Post No. 150.
Pete died on Friday, October 3, 2008, at Myrtue Medical Center in Harlan, Iowa, having attained the age of seventy-nine years, six months, and twenty-five days. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Russell.
He is survived by his children: Shirley and her husband Ken Olson of Harlan, Iowa, Betty and her husband Erwin Erickson of Ames, Iowa, and Alfred Petersen of Nora Springs, Iowa; four grandchildren; other family members and many friends.
A funeral service was held on Monday, October 6, 2008, at Pauley Jones Funeral Home in Harlan with Pastor Ron Rasmussen leading the 10:30 AM service. Casket bearers were Gene Cavanaugh, Ivan Hansen, Roger Erickson, Tracy Olson, John Kelly, and Gary Steinkeuhler. Military rites were held at the Harlan Cemetery.
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