Peterson, Verne William (1933-1998)

PETERSON, MCFARLAND, JOHNSON, SIMPSON, KAIL

Posted By: Debbie Greenfield (email)
Date: 12/12/2020 at 10:52:02

Stratford Courier
July 29, 1998

WATHENA, KS - Verne W. Peterson, 65, died unexpectedly on Tuesday, July 21, 1998 at his home.

He was born on May 20, 1933 in Webster City, Iowa to Elmer and Gertie (McFarland) Peterson.

Verne graduated from Stratford High School in Stratford, Iowa in 1952 and in March of 1953 entered the U.S. Army and served in Korea with Tank Co., 223rd Infantry Regiment. He was released from active duty in January of 1955, having received the Good Conduct, National Defense Service, Korean Service and United Nations Service medals. Verne was proud of his military service and the uniform he wore.

On November 4, 1956, he married Phyllis Johnson in Stratford, Iowa. She survives of the home.

Verne and his family moved to Wathena, Kansas in 1958, where he worked for the Wathena Times as a printer until 1969, when he transferred to Prompt Printing in St. Joseph, Missouri, and worked until 1978. He retired in 1995, having worked 17 years for TechAM, later named, Fermenta.

Mr. Peterson was a member of the Wathena Masonic Lodge, #64, A.F. and A.M., American Legion Wathena Post and Veterans of Foreign Wars, #5531, where he served as Post Commander in 1975, all of Wathena, Kansas.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Marvin, all of Stratford, Iowa.

Survivors include his wife of 41 years, two sons, Kevin D. of Pleasanton, California, Lance A. of Tracy, California, one daughter, Dorene M. Simpson of Wathena, Kansas, a brother, Donald of Algona, Iowa and a sister, Mabel Kail of Lewiston, Indiana, seven grandchildren and one step grandchild.

Funeral services were held on Friday, July 24, 1998 at the Harmon Rohde Funeral Home in Wathena, Kansas. Rev. Mark Holland officiated, with V.F.W. and American Legion members as honorary pallbearers.

Interment was Saturday, July 25, 1998 at South Marion Cemetery in Stratford, Iowa where Masonic services were observed.