PETERSEN, Thomas C. (1934-2020)

PETERSEN

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 1/28/2021 at 16:42:34

Thomas C. Petersen
(July 29, 1934 – December 2, 2020)

HOLSTEIN - Private family services for Thomas C. Petersen, 86, of Holstein were held at St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church in Holstein with the Rev. Bob Lewis officiating. Burial was held in the Holstein Cemetery at Holstein, with military rites by American Legion Dessel-Schmidt Post #225 of Holstein. Nicklas D. Jensen Funeral Home in Holstein was in charge of arrangements.
Tom was born July 29, 1934, youngest of four children of strong, stoic, hardworking German parents. His father, Joe Petersen, was a second-generation German American born in Ida Grove.
He married Augusta Liesner, who immigrated to the United States from Germany, through Ellis Island, to become a house girl for a family in Ida Grove in 1922. After marrying, Joe and Guste bought the 160-acre farm three miles north of Holstein, where Tom and his two brothers and sister were born and raised. Tom graduated from Holstein High School in 1952 as valedictorian. Tom worked with his father and brothers on the family farm until enlisting in the U.S. Army in 1954 in order to serve his country as his father had. He wanted to take advantage of the G.I. Education Bill being offered at the time. He later attended and graduated from what he called “farm school,” with training in agriculture and conservation management. Tom married Doris Breyfogle married at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Holstein Aug. 16, 1959, and spent the next 61 years together. They were an example of love and devotion to their children and all who knew them. Tom and Doris bought the family farm in 1960 and raised three children there: Tracey Linn, Keith Joe and Susan Joanne. Tom was a member of Holstein VFW, St. Paul Lutheran Church and a member and on the board of the Holstein Elevator. He will be remembered by all who knew him as a kind, gentle, generous man. He courageously battled cancer for several years and resided, until recently, at The Ridge in Holstein. He died peacefully at his daughter, Tracey’s, home in Olathe, Kan., Dec. 2, 2020. He was surrounded by his family as his wife held his hand.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Augusta Petersen; his siblings: Frances Petersen Rohlf, Harry Petersen and Roger Petersen; his brother-in-law, Robert Rohlf; and a sister-in-law, Marcella Petersen. He is survived by his beautiful bride, Doris Mae Breyfogle Petersen; and his children: Tracey Petersen Atzeni (husband, Steve), Keith Petersen and Dr. Susan Petersen (husband, Dr. Jon Bullman). Pop-Pop was adored by his grandchildren: Zachary Atzeni (wife, Danielle), Caitlin Atzeni, and Mikayla, Allie and Derick Bullman. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Arla Petersen.
Sources: Ida County Courier, Ida Grove, Iowa, Fri., Dec 11, 2020 and Nicklas D. Jensen Funeral Home & Monument Company, Holstein, Iowa at https://www.nicklasdjensenfh.com/