Benjie B. Petersen 1932-2011

PETERSEN, BARGER, SCHWARZ

Posted By: Connie Swearingen-Volunteer (email)
Date: 1/31/2013 at 13:37:21

Sioux City Journal
27 December 2011

ANTHON, Iowa -- Benjie B. Petersen, 79, of Anthon died unexpectedly Friday, Dec. 23, 2011, at his home.

Services will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Midway, rural Battle Creek, Iowa. Burial will be in St. Paul Cemetery at Midway, with military rites provided by the American Legion McNiff Post 389 of Anthon. Visitation will be after 4 p.m. today, with a prayer service at 7 p.m., at Armstrong Funeral Home in Anthon.

Benjie B.Petersen was born May 15,1932, in Battle Creek, Iowa. His parents were John W.Petersen and Elta Mae (Barger) Petersen. He was the youngest of four children. Benjie grew up on the family farm east of Anthon. He attended Pat King Country School and Anthon High School, graduating in 1950. Benjie enlisted in the U.S. Navy on Oct. 28, 1951, and was honorably discharged on Oct. 18, 1955.

On Nov. 14, 1955, he married Marnis Irene Schwarz at St. John's Lutheran Church in Climbing Hill, Iowa. Marnis and Benjie farmed outside of Anthon for the next 53 years, until his retirement in 2008. Marnis and Benjie then moved to the town of Anthon.

Benjie loved attending all of his grandchildren's sports events and activities, where he was always one of their biggest and loudest fans. Some of his favorite activities were ballroom dancing with his wife, Marnis, and their dance posse, playing cards with his family and friends, building decks, and welding and woodworking in his shop. There were not many dull or quiet days in Benjie's life, and he lived each one to the fullest. He will be greatly missed by many.

Benjie was a long time member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Midway. During the years he was Sunday School superintendent, trustee, treasure and currently an elder. He was very active in the community and was president of the Woodbury County Cattlemen's Association. Benjie was on several local agricultural boards and committees throughout the years he farmed. One of Benjie's proudest honors was to serve in Navy and the American Legion McNiff Post 389 of Anthon.

He will be lovingly remembered by his loving wife, Marnis (Schwarz) Petersen; his four children and their families, Benjie Bryan and his wife, Sharon of Oklahoma City, Okla., Jeffrey John and wife, Cindy of Moville, Iowa, Michael Henry and wife, Marilynn of Danbury, Iowa, and Marnie Jean and husband, Corey Petersen of Sioux City; grandchildren, Scott Bockelmann, Eli Petersen, Melissa Petersen, Jake Hannah, Benjie Petersen, Isaac and Lindsey Petersen, Theo Funderman III and Emily Sherwood (fiancee), Melanie Honsbruch, Tiffanie Honsbruch, Lindsie Honsbruch and Dan Meizner (fiance), Whitney Honsbruch, Tom and Shawna Dennison, Tiffany and Eric Wood, and Tanya Dennison; and 12 great- grandchildren; and his sister, Martha Ann Hanson and husband, Don of Alberquerque, N.M.

Benjie was preceded in death his brothers, John W. Petersen Jr. and Walter Petersen.

In lieu of flowers, please send any memorials to the American Legion Post McNiff Post 389 of Anthon.