Petersen, Vernon (1936-2018)

PETERSEN, WATERS, SUNDRUP, BAAS, WEHNER, LYNCH, BLOOMQUIST, BRANDT, MILLER-WEST, HANSON

Posted By: Carol Auen (email)
Date: 7/1/2019 at 18:12:04

Petersen, Vernon
February 15, 1936 - November 14, 2018

Vernon Petersen, age 82 of Sac City, IA, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, November 14, 2018, at his home.

Funeral Services were held at 10:30a.m. on Tuesday, November 20, 2018, at the St. Paul Lutheran Church in Sac City, IA, with Rev. Don Pobanz officiating. Farber & Otteman Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Visitation took place from 4:00-7:00p.m. on Monday, November 19, 2018, at the Farber & Otteman Funeral Home in Sac City. Burial was at the Cory Grove Cemetery in rural Sac City.

Vernon Frank Petersen was born on February 15, 1936, to parents Jurgen and Katherine (Kuhl) Petersen at home in Crawford County, IA. He was baptized in Denison, IA, in 1936, and in 1950 was confirmed at Peace Lutheran Church in Wall Lake, IA. Vernon grew up in northern Crawford County and southern Sac County with his parents and five siblings, Irene, Minard, Reynold, Bertha, and Merlin. He went to school in Wall Lake and Lake View and graduated from Lake View High School with the Class of 1954.

After graduating high school, Vernon worked as a farmhand and then started his career as a mason working for Don Irwin Construction. In 1964, he attended Trinidad State Junior College in Trinidad, CO, where he obtained his AA in Industrial Arts and Gunsmithing. Once out of college, he returned to Sac City and continued working for Don Irwin and began his gunsmithing business. In 1972, Vernon and his brother Minard ventured out on their own and started Petersen Construction. Over the years, they built or remodeled several homes and buildings in the area.

On May 30, 1975 Vernon married the love of his life, Sarah Patricia "Pat" Swanson. This union blended two families. Together, Vernon and Pat were parents to five children and eventually grandparents to many grandchildren. They were members of the St. Paul Lutheran Church in Sac City where Vernon served as an Elder and taught Sunday school.

Vernon was a member of the NRA and enjoyed collecting guns. He loved being outdoors, working with his draft horses, as well as riding his horses and mules. In his younger years he was an avid hunter, trapper, and fisherman. He loved taking his son and grandsons rabbit hunting in the winter and then having rabbit roasts afterwards. Watching his grandkids do things like hunt deer and other animals, rather than being glued to the TV or computer screen, made him so happy.

Vernon's wishes were to remain at home as his health declined. Being able to sit in his living room and watch the deer approach his patio doors brought a smile to his face and it made for great conversation with his visitors. As much as he disliked having to ask for help, he was so grateful for the in-home services he received from the gals at Home Choices and Hospice as having them come meant he was able to stay at home. He will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Those left to cherish Vernon's memory include his children: Krystal (Neil) Bloomquist of Lincoln, NE, Mark (Janet) Petersen of Sac City, IA, Melody (Randy) Wehner of Buffalo, MO, and step-daughter Brenda (Roger) Baas of Sac City, IA, and Amanda (Chad) Lynch of Sac City, IA; grandchildren: Karen (Cody) Hanson of Lincoln, NE, Tom (Ashley) Bloomquist of Omaha, NE Amy (Josh) Brandt of Des Moines, IA, Jamie (Chris) Miller-West of Sac City, IA, Ryan Petersen of Sac City, IA, Paige (Dan) Ropchock of Grain Valley, MO, Steven (Stefanie) Baas of Maquoketa, IA, step-grandchildren: Ryan Wehner of Overland Park, KS, Lacey Wehner of Blue Springs, MO, Haley Wehner of Blue Springs, MO, Cory Watts of Carroll, IA, and Abbie Watts of Lake City, IA; great-grandchildren: Oliver Brandt, Charlie and Jack Miller-West, Jude and Max Ropchock, Cole, Ryan, and Kade Baas; brothers: Minard (Susie) Petersen of Lake View, IA, Rey (Joan) Petersen of Wall Lake, IA, and Merlin (Doris) Petersen of Martinsville, IN; sister Bert Sundrup of Aurora, CO; many extended family members and friends.

Vernon was preceded in death by his wife, Pat, in 2001; parents Jurgen and Katie Petersen; sister Irene Waters; brother-in-law Dean Sundrup; and infant Wyatt Petersen.