PETERSON, Verner Herbert 1914-2005

PETERSON, BLASCHKE

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 2/27/2009 at 21:20:42

Verner ‘Pete' H. Peterson

CHARLES CITY, IOWA — Verner ‘Pete' H. Peterson, 90, of 210 Eighth St. S.E., Mason City, died Wednesday (June 15, 2005) at Good Shepherd Health Center, Mason City.

A memorial mass will be held at 10 a.m. Friday at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 302 Fifth St. S.E., Mason City, with Father Harry H. Koelker officiating. Inurement will be at Elmwood-St. Joseph Cemetery with full military honors conducted by members of Mason City Veteran's Memorial Association.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 7:30 p.m. today at Hogan Bremer Moore Colonial Chapel, 126 Third St. N.E., Mason City, with a scripture wake service at 7:30 p.m.

Verner Herbert Peterson was born on Dec. 10, 1914, in Garner, the son of John and Theresa (Blaschke) Peterson. He was baptized at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Garner. Verner attended Garner Public School.

He was inducted in the United States Navy and proudly served his country during World War II in the South Pacific. Verner saw action in the South Pacific in the battles of Leyete Gulf, Iwo Jima, Guadalcanal, Saipan, and the Marianas until his honorable discharge.

After his time in the military, he worked for Goodrich-Bethke in Garner and Borden's in Mason City. He also worked at the Mason City Public Schools, until his retirement, as a bus driver, carpenter, and a glazer.

Verner married Gertrude Hansen on Sept. 25, 1954, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Mason City. They had just celebrated their golden anniversary last year.

He enjoyed watching sports, dancing and fishing. Verner was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and was also a lifetime member of the VFW.

He will be greatly missed by his wife, Gertrude Peterson, Mason City; two sons: Douglas (Rowena) Peterson, Pensacola, Fla., and Dick (Barb) Peterson, Cedar Rapids; five grandchildren: Romilly (Andrew) Bethart, Lansing, Mich., Justin (Jackie) Peterson, Pensacola, Fla., and Brandon, Lauren, and Maggie Peterson, Cedar Rapids, and one great-grandson, Brayden Bethart. Verner will also be missed by several nieces, nephews, and special friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, five brothers and sisters, Arthur, Lewis, Benjamin, Dorothy and Vivian.

Hogan Bremer Moore Colonial Chapel, (641) 423-2372 - www.colonialchapels.com

[Globe Gazette -- June 16, 2005]