Petersen, Willis 1919-2016

PETERSEN, GEHLSEN, CHRISTIANSEN, HUELSE, BOLAND, STAFFORD

Posted By: Ruth Maring - Volunteer
Date: 2/6/2016 at 08:25:29

Willis Petersen age 96 of Clinton passed away on Monday, January 25, 2016 at Mercy Medical Center North. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Saturday, January 30, 2016 at Faith Lutheran Church in Andover. Visitation will be from 4:00 to 7:00 P.M. Friday at the Pape Funeral Home and from 9:30 A.M. until the service time Saturday at the church. Burial will be in Clinton Lawn Cemetery. Casket bearers will be Allen, Melvin, and David Christiansen, Tom Schwarz, Phil and Matt Petersen, and Brent and Chet Stoecker.

Willis was born on April 4, 1919 in Andover, IA, the son of Alvin and Alvina (Gehlsen) Petersen. He married Lucile Christiansen on November 24, 1942 in Kahoka, MO. Lucile passed away on October 25, 2013. Willis served in the US Army with the 7th Infantry in the Aleutians Islands. He was wounded in action and received a Purple Heart. He and Lucile farmed his family farm near Andover for many years, retiring in 1984 and moving to Clinton. He had also worked at Krambeck’s Feed and Supply. He was a charter member of Faith Lutheran Church in Andover, where he served on the church council. He was a member of the Andover Lions Club, Loyal Order of Moose, and the former Odeon Club. He enjoyed playing cards, woodworking, and traveling.

Willis is survived by three children, Sheridan Petersen of Morrison, IL, Dean (Carolyn) Petersen of Clinton, and JoAnn Huelse of Clarksville, TN; 8 grandchildren; 21 great grandchildren; 3 great-great grandchildren; a brother-in-law, John Boland of Clinton; and two sisters-in-law, Helen Christiansen of Clinton and Norma (Joe) Stafford of Lomita, CA. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Lucile, daughter-in-law, Donna Petersen, a sister, Beverly, and a brother, Robert.