Wayne M. Petersen
March 19, 1922 — March 12, 2011
Wayne Merle Petersen was born on March 18, 1922, to John and Anna (Olson) Petersen in Harlan, Iowa. He graduated from Walnut High School with the class of 1940. He was baptized at Bethel Baptist Church in Harlan on December 7, 1941.
Wayne married Frances Jorgensen on October 5, 1942 in Maryville, Missouri. Four children were born to this union: Bonnie, JoAnn, Connie and Wayne. Frances died on April 9, 1974. He married Alta Willoughby on August 23, 1975 in Walnut. Alta died in September 6, 1990 following a long illness.
Wayne farmed in the Walnut area his entire life and he raised cattle, hogs and chickens. His sense of humor was also a big part of Wayne and he loved playing practical jokes on family and friends. He delighted in teasing his grandchildren.
Wayne is one of the few remaining charter members of the Calvary Baptist Church in Walnut. He helped build the church sixty years ago. He served on the board for many years, serving as trustee and as church treasurer.
Wayne�s love of farming continued after his retirement in 1982, even while he was so ill with cancer, proving you can never take the farmer away from the farm.
Wayne moved to Peace Haven Retirement Home in Walnut for twelve years and this is where he met special friend Mary Noble. In October of 2007, Wayne moved to the Avoca Nursing and Rehab Center and this is where he died on Saturday, March 12, 2011, having obtained the age of eighty-eight years, eleven months, and twenty-two days.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Frances, his second wife Alta, a special friend Mary Noble, son-in-law Ron Hall, and brothers-in-law Helmer Marcussen and Vincent Clemons.
He is survived by his children: Bonnie Hall of Omaha, Nebraska; JoAnn and her husband Lynn Claussen of Oakton, Virginia; Connie and her husband Ward Koos of Walnut, Iowa; and Wayne Petersen and his wife Sandi of Knoxville, Iowa; nine grandchildren; seventeen great-grandchildren; a sister Opal Marcussen of Harlan, Iowa; and sister-in-law Alice Clemons of Harlan; nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends.
Pastor Aaron Hand officiated the 10:30 am funeral service at Pauley Jones Funeral Home in Avoca, Iowa on Thursday, March 17, 2011. Interment was held at the Layton Township Cemetery in Walnut with Michael Petersen, Matthew Petersen, Tyler Holtz, Eric Holtz, Nicholas Klein, Duane Holtz, Bob Klein and Travis Hall serving as casket bearers. Honorary casket bearers were Harold Lansman, Merle Petersen, Dewey Linden, Ralph Hansen and Donald Hansen.
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Wayne married Frances Jorgensen on October 5, 1942 in Maryville, Missouri. Four children were born to this union: Bonnie, JoAnn, Connie and Wayne. Frances died on April 9, 1974. He married Alta Willoughby on August 23, 1975 in Walnut. Alta died in September 6, 1990 following a long illness.
Wayne farmed in the Walnut area his entire life and he raised cattle, hogs and chickens. His sense of humor was also a big part of Wayne and he loved playing practical jokes on family and friends. He delighted in teasing his grandchildren.
Wayne is one of the few remaining charter members of the Calvary Baptist Church in Walnut. He helped build the church sixty years ago. He served on the board for many years, serving as trustee and as church treasurer.
Wayne�s love of farming continued after his retirement in 1982, even while he was so ill with cancer, proving you can never take the farmer away from the farm.
Wayne moved to Peace Haven Retirement Home in Walnut for twelve years and this is where he met special friend Mary Noble. In October of 2007, Wayne moved to the Avoca Nursing and Rehab Center and this is where he died on Saturday, March 12, 2011, having obtained the age of eighty-eight years, eleven months, and twenty-two days.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Frances, his second wife Alta, a special friend Mary Noble, son-in-law Ron Hall, and brothers-in-law Helmer Marcussen and Vincent Clemons.
He is survived by his children: Bonnie Hall of Omaha, Nebraska; JoAnn and her husband Lynn Claussen of Oakton, Virginia; Connie and her husband Ward Koos of Walnut, Iowa; and Wayne Petersen and his wife Sandi of Knoxville, Iowa; nine grandchildren; seventeen great-grandchildren; a sister Opal Marcussen of Harlan, Iowa; and sister-in-law Alice Clemons of Harlan; nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends.
Pastor Aaron Hand officiated the 10:30 am funeral service at Pauley Jones Funeral Home in Avoca, Iowa on Thursday, March 17, 2011. Interment was held at the Layton Township Cemetery in Walnut with Michael Petersen, Matthew Petersen, Tyler Holtz, Eric Holtz, Nicholas Klein, Duane Holtz, Bob Klein and Travis Hall serving as casket bearers. Honorary casket bearers were Harold Lansman, Merle Petersen, Dewey Linden, Ralph Hansen and Donald Hansen.
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