Christopher Lee Petersen (2025)

HOCHSTETLER, LINEWEAVER, MCDONALD, MCLAUGHLIN, ORWAN, PETERSEN, SIX, THOMPSON, WARREN, YETMAR

Posted By: Pat Hochstetler
Date: 10/28/2025 at 07:41:47

Earlham Echo
Earlham, Iowa

October 5, 1978 – September 16, 2025

Christopher Lee Petersen, 46, of Earlham, passed away from a brave two-year battle with cancer on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, at his home in Statesboro, Georgia. Chris was born on October 5, 1978, in Des Moines, Iowa to Dean and Deborah Petersen.

Chris grew up in Earlham, Iowa and graduated with the class of 1997. During his school years, he made life-long friends and participated in nearly every activity available. Chris enjoyed his art classes and was quite accomplished in pottery and charcoal drawings. Because of his love for music, jazz band was his favorite school activity. Chris qualified and placed at State Track in 400 Hurdles. The following year he suffered a hamstring injury and was unable to compete at State. He was also an honor student. Chris was an exchange student to Denmark where he visited the area that his ancestors came from and learned more about their culture.

Chris’ first love was dance, and he rarely went without a pair of tap shoes on his feet. He loved discussing ballet terminology with his mother and sister for hours. He was a multiple regional and national dance champion and in 2000 was the Bill Riley State Fair Talent Champion.

He pursued his professional training at OCU in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, studying under the direction of outstanding teachers such as Jo Rowan and Pat Oplotnik. Chris was a performer with the Norwegian cruise line cruising the North Atlantic.

Upon his return, Chris taught all genres of dance at his mother’s dance studio, Deborah’s School of Dance, for nearly 10 years. He also taught workshops at various studios in the area and judged for several dance competitions. Chris choreographed the first ever tap routine for Iowa Dance Theatre’s Nutcracker performance at the Civic Center, made up of tappers from various studios throughout the state. These were the years he cherished most—fostering a love for dance and music, shaping his students’ lives far beyond the studio and leaving a lasting impact on the tap community at large.

In his down time, Chris loved to cook and garden. His family enjoyed his cooking and marveled at his gardening skills. He loved bowling like his grandpa Frank. Also, miniature golf was a favorite of his. Chris loved amusement park rides. His favorite amusement park was Cedar Pointe in Sandusky, Ohio. Chris and his partner, Russell, would ride every ride in the park, then Chris would want to go around and ride again. Chris and Russell lived in Iowa for 12 ½ years before moving to Georgia, where they resided for 4 ½ years.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Frank and Lurene Orwan and Leo and Evelyn Petersen.

Chris will be missed by his family who loved him dearly, his partner Russell Thompson who took care of him and was by his bedside when he passed; parents Dean and Deborah (Orwan) Petersen; brothers and sisters: Tanya (Greg) McLaughlin, Eric Petersen (Melissa) Jeremy (Nicole) Petersen and Tasha (Jeffrey Six) Petersen. Nieces and nephews are James Lineweaver, Chase Yetmar, Carter Yetmar, Devon (Rachel) Hochstetler, Vanessa (Grant) Warren, Jessica McDonald, Mason Petersen, Grant Petersen, Jeret Petersen, many extended family members, dance partners Hilary Sawyers and Holly Gragert, the DSOD dance family and countless friends.

October was Chris’ favorite month. He loved celebrating his birthday all month long and enjoyed the Halloween season, with looking for haunted houses with his sister and decorating for the holiday.

Rest in peace Chris. You will always be remembered for your big heart, contagious laugh, and incredible dance moves. You brought so much joy and happiness to those around you and your memory will live on forever. You will be deeply missed by all who knew you. Let’s celebrate your life and cherish the memories we shared together. Until we meet again.