Ronald D. Petersen
September 19, 1934 — June 3, 2011
Ronald Dean Petersen, son of Christian and Eva (Comstock) Petersen, was born on September 19, 1934 at the family�s home in Avoca, Iowa.
Ronald was united in marriage to Martha Lynn Arnold on May 29, 1955 in Kirkman, Iowa. Four children were born to this union: Daniel, Shari, Keith, and Kevin. After the couple was married, they moved to Council Bluffs when Ronald worked as a union painter in Omaha; the couple returned to Avoca a year later and this is where they made their home.
Over the years, Ronald worked at a variety of jobs. He worked for the Avoca Creamery for a couple years before it closed; as well as Zimm�s Oil Company. Ronald and Martha Lynn then became self-employed and owned several businesses including a salvage yard, car repair shop, a tree removal service, and gas station. Ronald worked in the garage several years and never really stopped doing car repairs even after his retirement.
Ronald and Martha Lynn started a business with a few trucks transporting gravel and asphalt. He drove one truck in which he completely built himself. He then worked for Western Engineering Company in Council Bluffs and Omaha until his retirement. Starting in 1985, Ronald and Martha Lynn traveled to Arizona in the winter months and worked at flea markets with friends. This was a time that the couple really enjoyed together and continued for the next 20 years. Ronald also enjoyed woodworking.
In February of 2010, Ronald moved to Salem Nursing Home in Elk Horn, Iowa. It was on May 1, 2011 that he was moved to Avoca Nursing and Rehab Center in Avoca and this is where he died on Friday, June 3, 2011 at the age of seventy-six years, eight months, and fifteen days. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Edward Petersen and Duane Petersen and sister-in-law Rosalie Petersen.
He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Martha Lynn Petersen of Avoca, Iowa; his children: Daniel Petersen and his wife Ruth of Red Wing, Minnesota, Shari Anderson and her significant other Scott Elmore of Avoca, Keith Petersen of Avoca, and Kevin Petersen and his wife Gwen of St. Augustine, Florida; brothers Richard Petersen and his wife Rose of Avoca and Jack Petersen of Avoca; six grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; sister-in-law Dorothy of Florida; nieces and nephews, other family members and friends.
Pastor Nancy Ross-Hullinger officiated the 2:00 PM funeral service at Pauley Jones Funeral Home in Avoca, Iowa on Tuesday, June 7, 2011. Interment was held in the Graceland Cemetery in Avoca with Tyna Anderson, Josh Anderson, Kevin Petersen, Kal Petersen, Derek Riegelman, and Nicki Woltersen serving as casket bearers.
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Ronald was united in marriage to Martha Lynn Arnold on May 29, 1955 in Kirkman, Iowa. Four children were born to this union: Daniel, Shari, Keith, and Kevin. After the couple was married, they moved to Council Bluffs when Ronald worked as a union painter in Omaha; the couple returned to Avoca a year later and this is where they made their home.
Over the years, Ronald worked at a variety of jobs. He worked for the Avoca Creamery for a couple years before it closed; as well as Zimm�s Oil Company. Ronald and Martha Lynn then became self-employed and owned several businesses including a salvage yard, car repair shop, a tree removal service, and gas station. Ronald worked in the garage several years and never really stopped doing car repairs even after his retirement.
Ronald and Martha Lynn started a business with a few trucks transporting gravel and asphalt. He drove one truck in which he completely built himself. He then worked for Western Engineering Company in Council Bluffs and Omaha until his retirement. Starting in 1985, Ronald and Martha Lynn traveled to Arizona in the winter months and worked at flea markets with friends. This was a time that the couple really enjoyed together and continued for the next 20 years. Ronald also enjoyed woodworking.
In February of 2010, Ronald moved to Salem Nursing Home in Elk Horn, Iowa. It was on May 1, 2011 that he was moved to Avoca Nursing and Rehab Center in Avoca and this is where he died on Friday, June 3, 2011 at the age of seventy-six years, eight months, and fifteen days. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Edward Petersen and Duane Petersen and sister-in-law Rosalie Petersen.
He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Martha Lynn Petersen of Avoca, Iowa; his children: Daniel Petersen and his wife Ruth of Red Wing, Minnesota, Shari Anderson and her significant other Scott Elmore of Avoca, Keith Petersen of Avoca, and Kevin Petersen and his wife Gwen of St. Augustine, Florida; brothers Richard Petersen and his wife Rose of Avoca and Jack Petersen of Avoca; six grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; sister-in-law Dorothy of Florida; nieces and nephews, other family members and friends.
Pastor Nancy Ross-Hullinger officiated the 2:00 PM funeral service at Pauley Jones Funeral Home in Avoca, Iowa on Tuesday, June 7, 2011. Interment was held in the Graceland Cemetery in Avoca with Tyna Anderson, Josh Anderson, Kevin Petersen, Kal Petersen, Derek Riegelman, and Nicki Woltersen serving as casket bearers.
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