Peterson, Willard Jay 1918 - 2017
PETERSON, KRANTZ, RUCKER, RAHMILLER, KRUEGER, RONG, CHEN
Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 3/10/2017 at 17:23:29
Willard Jay Peterson 98, of Iowa Falls passed away Thursday, March 2, 2017 at Scenic Manor Care Center in Iowa Falls.
Willard was born May 31, 1918 in Jay Township, Martin County, Minnesota to Victor and Huldah (Krantz) Peterson. His family lived near Dunnell and Morris, Minnesota. Later, they moved to the Elma area and Cresco, Iowa. Willard attended school in Morris, Elma, and later Cresco. He graduated from Cresco High School in 1938. He and his brother LaVerne wired farms in preparation for rural electrification. On November 2, 1941, Willard was united in marriage to Zelma Rucker. To this union of 71 years, three children were born. They farmed north of Cresco until 1977 when they moved into Cresco. Willard was the Howard County ASCS Executive Director from 1966 to 1981. In 2008. they moved to Iowa Falls ,Iowa.
Willard became an amateur radio operator (K0MYU) in 1957 under the guidance of Bud Weatherford and continued to pursue it to the present time. He especially loved to raise tomatoes and strawberries. He used his woodworking skills to make furniture for family members. Zelma and Willard wintered in Florida, Texas, Arizona, and Hawaii. He also enjoyed fishing, square dancing and camping with family.
He was a member of Cresco Kiwanis, Radio Club, and First Lutheran Church. He was currently a member of Bethany Lutheran in Iowa Falls.
He is survived by his three children: Gayle (Eldon) Rahmiller of Iowa Falls, Karen (Keith) Krueger of Maquoketa, and Steven (Gui Rong) of Ewa Beach, Hawaii. Grandchildren: Ryan (Amanda) Rahmiller of Charles City, Sean (Lori) Peterson of Mesa, Arizona, Lindsay Krueger of Durham, North Carolina, Brad (Tammy) Rahmiller of Marshalltown, Erin Peterson of Houston, Texas, Tyler ( Ariana ) Krueger of Grimes, and Jiao Chen of Ewa Beach, Hawaii. Great-grandchildren: Henry Rahmiller and Lydia Krueger. He is also survived by a brother-in-law Al Rucker of Sheridan, Illinois and a sister-in-law LuAnne Peterson of Harmony Minnesota as well as fifteen nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Zelma, brothers LaVerne and Lloyd, and a sister Mae Peterson.
Source: Lindstrom Funeral Home database
Howard Obituaries maintained by Constance McDaniel Hall.
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