Petersen, Alvin C. 1919-1970

PETERSEN, FARNSWORTH

Posted By: Mary Holub, volunteer (email)
Date: 1/20/2011 at 19:50:16

From: Le Mars Daily Sentinel, December 21, 1970

Alvin Petersen killed by train at Woodbine

Alvin C. Petersen, 51, a former Le Mars and Remsen resident, was killed Saturday, Dec. 19, when he was struck by a train at Woodbine.

He had worked the last three years at the Woodbine grain elevator where the accident occurred.

Folks here have learned two trains were in the vicinity of the elevator yard when Mr. Petersen apparently stepped in front of a through train. The other train in the yard was moving at a slow rate of speed.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at St. John Lutheran church at Dunlap. Rev. Robert Fallgatter will officiate. Burial will be in the Woodbine cemetery.

Mr. Petersen was born May 15, 1919, at Remsen, a son of Mrs. Elise Petersen and the late Niels Petersen.

He married Helen Farnsworth, Feb. 23, 1945, at Miami, Fla. He served in the navy from 1941 until 1945.

The couple farmed in the Le Mars and Remsen area before moving to Woodbine. He was a member of the Woodbine Saddle club and St. John Lutheran church at Dunlap.

He was preceded in death by a sister Fern and his father.

Surviving are his wife Helen, his mother, Mrs. Elise N. Petersen, and a sister, Mrs. William (Evalyn) Sievers, all of Woodbine, three nieces and two nephews.