Obituary of Emory Petersen

Emory Julius Petersen, the son of Julius and Hilda (Steffen) Petersen, was born March 22, 1927, in Grant Township, O’Brien County, Iowa. He graduated from Hartley High School with the class of 1945. On March 21, 1945, he enlisted in the United States Navy. He proudly served in the Pacific Theatre and was honorably discharged on July 27, 1946. Upon returning from service, he worked in Denver, Colorado attending the University of Denver and worked in Washington D.C. for the Federal Bureau of Investigation. However, Emory longed to return to Hartley and pursue farming. He was united in marriage to Elsin Leah Sampson on March 8, 1953. Following their marriage they settled on a farm south of Hartley and continued to farm until his retirement in 2006. Emory became a certified auctioneer and real estate agent in the 1980's. Emory’s passion was farming and he prided himself on a hard day’s work. He enjoyed golfing, bowling and watching the Iowa Hawkeyes. Emory’s heart and mind were always on his family. He was a loving husband, proud father and generous grandfather. Emory was baptized on March 20, 1941, and became a member of the St. Paul’s Lutheran Church of Hartley. He served on church boards and also taught Sunday school. He was a member of the Hartley American Legion since 1946. Emory served on the Meadowbrook Golf Course board for many years including the position of President. He passed away at the Community Memorial Health Center in Hartley on May 13, 2013, at the age of 86. He is preceded in death by his parents; a son, Russell Petersen; an infant daughter; three brothers, Rudolph Petersen, Ray Petersen and Rex Petersen. Survivors include his wife, Elsin; two sons, Thomas (Barb) Petersen of Littleton, Colorado and Carl (Mary) Petersen of Lester, Iowa; seven grandchildren; Taylor Petersen, Connor Petersen, Katherine Petersen, Sydney Petersen, Elle Petersen, Adelyn Petersen and Isabelle Petersen; a sister, Mary Bobolz; other relatives and many friends. Celebration of Life Emory J. Petersen Born ~ March 22, 1927 Died ~ May 13, 2013 Age ~ 86 years 1 month 21 days Memorial Service 11:00 a.m. Friday, May 17, 2013 St. Paul's Lutheran Church Hartley, Iowa Officiating ~ Rev. David Ericksen Organist ~ Donna Ahlers Congregational Singing Processional ~ "How Great Thou Art" "I Am Jesus' Little Lamb" Recessional ~ "The Old Rugged Cross" Pallbearers Taylor Petersen Connor Petersen Katherine Petersen Sydney Petersen Elle Petersen David Bobolz Steve Petersen Honorary Pallbearers Adelyn Petersen Isabelle Petersen Ushers Ed Harders Gordon Williamson Military Graveside Rite Conducted by Arthur W. Kirchhoff Post #288 Hartley, IA Graveside Services Pleasant View Cemetery Hartley, Iowa