PETERSON, Kenneth W. (1934-2022)

PETERSON

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 4/30/2023 at 14:18:38

Kenneth Wayne Peterson
(September 27, 1934 - September 16, 2022)

Kenneth Wayne Peterson was born September 27, 1934, in Harlan, Iowa, to Moody and Lilas Peterson. He grew up in Harlan, with one sister, Pat (Eubanks). He attended Harlan High School where he lettered in basketball four years. He also came to know Joanne Marie Christensen, whom he married on August 19, 1955 in Jacksonville Iowa. He attended Simpson College in Indianola, and lettered in basketball there as well. He was a member of Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity, graduating in 1957 with a degree in business administration and accounting. He joined the US Naval Reserves in 1953 and continued through 1961. Ken began his career in the IRs in 1957 and after 37 years, he retired in 1994 as Chief of Audit.
Ken and Joanne made their home in Indianola where their family grew to four members, Greg in 1958 and Keri in 1962. Other than a short stint in Cedar Rapids, Ken and his family remained in Indianola and he became an active member of the community until his death on September 16, 2022. Ken’s family grew again with Greg’s marriage to Peggy and continued to grow. Ken had 3 granddaughters, Stephanie (Scott) Finney, Leslie Roggio, and Michella (Tom) Drummond: 5 great-grandchildren, Cody Weitzell, Noel (Aaron) Turk, Anthony Roggio, Carson Finney, and Clare Finney. He had 2 great-granddaughters, Lakelei Weitzell and Kinsie Turk, whom he was able to meet shortly before his death. Ken and his family were active members of Redeemer Lutheran Church where Ken supported and participated in a number of projects. He was also a member Kiwanis and served as president. Several years during his time at the IRS he was a strong supporter of United Way and spent a number of weeks each year traveling the area raising funds. Ken had some very serious interests and hobbies in his lifetime. He felt strongly about conservation, planting LOTS of trees. He loved birds, especially blue birds, and probably built 1000 bird houses. He donated several to the Annett Nature Center and taught a few classes there on how to build bird houses. He competed in the county fair most years, winning ribbons each year for his bird houses. He put up a number of houses and would travel the woods and fence lines each spring to clean them out. If you live in and around the Indianola community there is a very good possibility you have seen one of his houses. He also truly loved fishing, anytime anywhere. After lettering in basketball in both high school and college, it is no surprise to know he loved the sport, especially college basketball. He was an Iowa fan, but no matter which college team was playing, if the game was on T.V. you would find him watching. He was also a big food fan. He loved having dinner with friends and family and especially enjoyed dessert. It was not unusual to see Ken having a few M&Ms and ice cream in the evening. They were probably his favorite.
Most importantly, Ken was an incredibly kind, Christian man with many friends (who usually called him Pete) and totally loved by his family, who called him Grandpa Larry (long story). We are going to miss him terribly.
Services for Ken will be held 1 p.m., Tuesday, September 20, 2022 at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Indianola, with burial following in the Indianola I.O.O.F. Cemetery. Visitation will be held prior to services from 11 to 1 p.m. at the church. Memorials may be given to Redeemer Lutheran Church or Warren County Conservation for the Annett Nature Center.[This memorial is provided by Overton Funeral Home, 501 West Ashland Ave., Indianola, Iowa, http://www.overtonfuneral.com/]