Petersen, Forrest M. (“Pete”) (1923 - 2018)

PETERSEN, NELSEN, JOHANSEN

Posted By: Denise Wurner (email)
Date: 1/4/2019 at 01:09:06

Name of deceased: Forrest M. "Pete" Petersen

Aged: 95 yrs, 7 mo, 19 days

Residence: Goodyear, AZ (formerly of Harlan, IA)

Born: April 7, 1923; Harlan, Shelby County, IA

Died: Nov. 26, 2018; Eserralla Care Center, Avondale, Maricopa County, AZ.

Funeral services: Saturday, Dec. 1, 2018; Immanuel Lutheran Church, Harlan, IA; burial was in the Harlan Cemetery, Harlan, IA

Survived by: Son, Stephen (spouse, Carrie) of Goodyear, AZ; daughter-in-law, Nancy of Kalona, IA; grandson, Stephen (“Mike”) (spouse, Carrie) of Columbus, NE; grandson, Brad (spouse, Katie) of West Des Moines, IA; great-granddaughters, Lilly, Audrey and Charlotte; other family members and friends

Predeceased by: Parents, Marius P and Minnie (nee Nelsen) Petersen; wife, Dorothy; son, Michael; brother, Clarit; sister-in-law, Nina; sister, Rhoda; brother-in-law, Robert

Education: Attended school in Elk Horn, IA and then Lake View, IA; he graduated from high school in Lake View.

Religious affiliation: Baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith, and was an active member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Harlan; he served as president of the church council for 4 years, and also sang in the choir for 43 years.

Military service: Enlisted in the U. S. Naval Air Force where he served for 6 years (from 1942-1948), mostly in the South Pacific.

Marriage: Dorothy Johansen; Dec. 18, 1943; Trinity Lutheran Church, Ottumwa, IA

Employment: After completing his military service, he settled his family in Audubon, IA and worked at the Coast to Coast hardware store; in 1952, they moved to Harlan where he went into partnership with Waldo Johansen in the Coast to Coast store, an enterprise which lasted for 27 years. After then selling his business, he worked with his son in their own electronics store in Harlan. Later on, he drove a bus for Harlan Community Schools for 20 years.

Hobbies/Interests: Member, Chamber of Commerce; member, The Kiwanis Club; member, American Legion; member, Preservation and Encouragement of Barbershop Quartet Singing in America.

Sources: harlanonline.com; pauleyjones.com