Ralph Petersen 1909-2001

PETERSEN, HANSEN, REEVES

Posted By: Lori Clark (email)
Date: 10/9/2002 at 15:39:26

Ralph ”Bob” Petersen, age 91 of 102 Amhurst Street, Iowa City, died at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City following complications of a stroke.

Funeral services will be held at the 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, November 27, 2001 at the Panora Christian Church, Panora, Iowa. Burial at the West Cemetery in Panora. Everyone is welcome to join the family for a time of fellowship following the services at the cemetery to be held at the church. The Gay & Ciha Funeral & Cremation Service of Iowa City is caring for Bob’s arrangements.

Mr. Petersen was born December 24, 1909 in Panora, Iowa the son of John and Magdalena Petersen. He attended schools both in Panora and in Linden, Iowa where he was played football. Bob married Thelma L. Reeves, June 30, 1928 in Guthrie Center, Iowa. They were one of the few families that were involved in a program through the Farm & Home Administration that assisted families in buying their farms. They were chosen for this because of Bob’s belief and practice in soil conservation. They farmed in the Panora area for many years before moving to Iowa City in 1978 to be near their daughter and her family.

In Panora he was a member of the Christian Church, and also active in the Linden A.F. & A.M. Masonic Lodge, and the O.E.S. also in Linden.

His family includes his wife, Thelma; two daughters and their husbands, Marjorie and Stan Aldinger of Iowa City, and Jeanne and Ernie DeJong of Pella; 9 grandchildren, Deborah DeJong, Teresa DeJong VanWyk, Michael, Tom and Scott DeJong, Lori Aldinger, Jim Aldinger, Becky Rohrbaugh, and Pattie Umble; 15 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, 1 granddaughter, Beth Aldinger, 2 brothers, and 4 sisters.