Arne Petersen (1908-1936)

PETERSEN

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 8/16/2024 at 13:19:25

From Story City Herald April 30, 1936 (page 1)

FINAL RITES FOR ACCIDENT VICTIM

Large Concourse of Friends Attended Last Rites for Arne Petersen Sunday

The funeral of Arne Petersen, whose death was chronicled last week as having taken place in the tip-over of a truck on the highway north of Des Moines, was held in the Grace church last Sunday afternoon. An exceptionally large number of friends and acquaintances of the deceased were present from this neighborhood as well as the territory of the Randall creamery, where he had been employed during the past year.

Rev. G. L. Bergeman officiated, reading Psalm 90 for his scripture lesson. A quartet composed of Mrs. Chas. Fuller, Mrs. Wm. Petersen, George R. Sowers and O. M. Butler sang two songs, "Some Time We'll Understand" and "God be with You til We Meet Again." Vernon Anderson accompanied the singing on the piano.

The pall bearers were: L. E. Nelson, Henry Peterson, Theo. Hoversten, all of Randall, Aage Nielsen of Austinville, and LaVerne and Howard Smith of this place. The flowers were profusely beautiful.

Obituary

Arne B. Petersen was born on a small island in Denmark near the town of Ording on March 9, 1908. He was baptized in infancy and confirmed in the spring of 1922, at the age of 14 years.

He started to make his own way in the world shortly after confirmation by working in the creamery. He took such a liking to this work that he continued in that trade until he decided to see more of the world.

On Jan. 19, 1929, he and a close friend, Aage Nielsen, sailed for America and landed in New York. He went on to Chicago where he visited a friend of his parents. His first steady work was in Florida.

From there he went to Nebraska and spent one year in farm work and one year at Randolph in a creamery. He came to Iowa and on Dec. 7, 1931, he drove to J. M. Smith home, southwest of Story City, looking for work. He was hired and proved himself a faithful helper for three years in the Smith family, who grew to regard him as one of their own.

By this time he decided he wanted more schooling, so entered Grandview college at Des Moines, where he spent four months. In February, 1935, he again took up his chosen work in the Randall Farmers Creamery, where he was employed until his untimely death on Wednesday, April 22, at the age of 28 years, 1 month and 13 days.

Arne was a young man of sterling character who always made friends with those he came in contact. To know him was to like him. He was a faithful member of the Big Brothers Sunday school class.

He leaves to mourn his loss, his fiancee of this community, and his parents, two brothers, five sisters in Denmark, besides a host of friends.

Card of Thanks

In the absence of his parents we wish to thank our many neighbors and friends for the kindness and sympathy shown at the time of Arne's death and funeral. Also for lovely flowers and songs rendered.
Geneva Wheeler,
Aage Neilsen,
Mr. and Mrs. J. M. Smith and Family,
Mr. and Mrs. L. E. Nelson.

SUBMITTER'S NOTE: As the hired man on the James M. Smith farm, Nellie Smith was the beneficiary of the life insurance of Arne Petersen. With those funds, Mrs. Smith arranged for the remains of Arne Petersen to be returned to his family in Denmark for burial. Her son, Howard Smith, accompanied the body to its destination.