Kenneth Peterson

Kenneth Peterson was born at Kiron, Iowa, December 28, 1917, the son of Carl Albert and Britta Axelina Lundgren Peterson. He was raised on the farm, receiving his early education in the rural schools before graduating from the Odebolt High School with the class of 1935. He then furthered his education for one semester at Morningside College in Sioux City, Iowa. During World War II, from December of 1943 until his discharge in May of 1946, Kenneth served his country in the United States Navy. Upon his discharge he returned to Kiron. On June 12, 1946, Kenneth was united in marriage with Gloria Sjogren at Kiron, Iowa. They made their home on their present farm at Kiron where he was actively engaged in farming from 1946 until 1980. Following his retirement from active farming they remained on the farm and Kenneth was a self-employed electrician from 1982 until 1985. Due to failing health Kenneth had resided at Odebolt Nursing and Rehab Center in Odebolt, Iowa since 2007. Since 1947, Kenneth was an active member of First Baptist Church in Kiron, where through the years he served as an Usher, Trustee, Deacon, Financial Secretary and was Vice-Chairman of the Church. In addition to his church activities, Kenneth was an active member of the community serving as a Board Member of the Horn Memorial Hospital in Ida Grove for six years, Federal Land Bank Board Member, ASC Board Member, a twenty five year member of the Kiron Cemetery Board serving as Manager, President and Secretary and was over a 60 year member of the American Legion Post 383, Kiron, Iowa where he had served as Commander and Chaplain. In his spare time he enjoyed stamp collecting, reading and crossword puzzles. Kenneth died early Monday, October 6, 2008, at the Horn Memorial Hospital in Ida Grove, Iowa. At the time of his death he had been blessed with 90 years, 9 months and 8 days. Including his parents, Carl and Britta Peterson, Kenneth was also preceded in death by one daughter, Terrilyn Patchin, three brothers, Arthur, Harold and Glenn Peterson, two sisters, Alice Peterson and Emma Peterson who died in infancy and one son-in-law, Stanley Schlappi. Those remaining to cherish his memory include his wife of over 62 years, Gloria Peterson of Odebolt, one daughter, Carol Schlappi of Kiron, Iowa, one son, John Peterson and wife, Linda of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, former son-in-law, Don Patchin and wife, Lorinda of Adair, Iowa, 4 grandchildren, Kevin and Darin Schlappi of Deer Creek, Illinois, and Matthew and Daniel Peterson of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, one sister, Dorothy and husband, Marvin Kent of Omaha, Nebraska, one brother, Donald Peterson and wife, Carolyn of Seattle, Washington, brother-in-law, Adelbert Sjogren of Odebolt, Iowa, sister-in-law, Ellen Peterson of Winchester, Kentucky, other relatives and friends.