PETERSEN, Henry 1881-1983

PETERSEN, SMIDT, DIEKEN, PABST

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 7/8/2014 at 20:43:15

Henry Petersen, Grundy's Oldest Resident, Dies

Henry P. Petersen passed away at 11:07 a.m. on Friday, October 14 at the Long Term Care Unit of the Grundy County Memorial Hospital where he had been a resident since July 16, 1982.

Funeral services were held at the Bethany Presbyterian Church, Grundy Center, on Monday, October 17 at 10 a.m. Rev. Calvin W. Vanderwerf officiated.

Musical interludes of "The Old Rugged Cross," and "Abide With Me," were rendered by Mrs. T. J. Heronimus, who also played selected numbers for the prelude and postlude.

Casketbearers were Gordon Peters, Wilbur Petersen, Henry VanEllen, Dick Groenwold, Dean Maddux and Ubbie Groenwold.

Ushers were Edward Flater and Leonard Ralston. Mrs. Bernard Eilderts and Mrs. Vernon Klosterboer were in charge of floral arrangements.

Interment was in Colfax Center cemetery, rural Holland. Relatives and friends were invited to return to the church following the committal services for a period of Christian fellowship and refreshment.

Mr. Petersen was born June 22, 1881 in Lincoln township, Grundy county, the son of Ubbo and Henrietta Smidt Petersen. He attained the age of 102 years, three months and 22 days. He grew up in Lincoln township.

On February 25, 1904, he was married to Annie Dieken. After their marriage they started farming in Lincoln township. His wife Anne passed away on July 24, 1928 and he continued to farm until 1933.

On March 9, 1935, in Webster City, he was united in marriage to Minnie Pabst. He had a Watkins route for 11 years. They moved to Cedar Falls where he worked for Viking Pump until he was 70 years old when he retired, moving back to Grundy Center. Minnie passed away December 20, 1976.

He was a 71-year member of the Bethany Presbyterian Church and had served as a trustee for 17 years and as a ruling elder. He enjoyed growing roses and made many clocks and over three dozen grandfather clocks that were shipped all over the United States.

He was preceded in death by his parents, first and second wives, four sisters, five brothers, two grandchildren and one great-grandson.

He is survived by one son, Ubbie Petersen of Grundy Center; two daughters, Mrs. John (Emma) Stachour of Grundy Center and Mrs. Harold (Henrietta) Mutch of Grundy Center; seven grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren.

The Engelkes-Abels Funeral Home, Grundy Center, was in charge of the arrangements.

--The Grundy Register (Grundy Center, Iowa), 20 October 1983, pg 3