Petersen, Jens 1875-1971

PETERSEN, VOLLQUARDSON, WETTSTEADT

Posted By: Linda Ziemann, volunteer (email)
Date: 8/21/2008 at 20:59:40

JENS PETERSEN DEAD AT 95; WAS FORMER MERRILL MAYOR

Jens (Grandpa) Petersen, 95, a former Merrill mayor, died at Floyd Valley Hospital Friday morning. He has resided at the hospital the last four years.

He was born Sept. 4, 1875, in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. He came to the United States and to Merrill at the age of 16. He was an active member of the Isaak Walton league until a few years ago.

Mr. Petersen, a retired farmer, had resided at Merrill since 1892. He was mayor there from 1930 to 1936.

He was the oldest male resident at the hospital where he lived in room 101. Until his last illness, he was in good health and enjoyed watching TV.

His family visited him often and took him to visit others at the hospital. They often took him outdoors and for rides in their cars.

He was the son of August and Anna Vollquardson Petersen. His marriage to Emilie Wettsteadt took place at Merrill Oct. 31, 1895. She preceded him in death, March 9, 1953.

Funeral services are pending at the Luken-Johnson Funeral Home in LeMars.

Survivors are a son, Herman, Harlingen, Tex.; five daughters, Mrs. Anna Johanson and Mrs. Amelia (Amy) Harrison, both of LeMars; Mrs. Ainsworth (Clara) Lang, Merrill; Mrs. William (Emma) Coddington, Inglewood, Calif.; and Mrs. Leland (Ella) Spies, Merrill.

He has 18 grandchildren; 50 great-grandchildren; and eight great great-grandchildren.

Also surviving are two brothers, Henry, LeMars and Bert, Zion, Ill., and a sister, Mrs. Margarthe Mulder, Merrill.

~Source: The LeMars Daily Sentinel
~Note: Per SSDI online the date of death is listed as March 1971.