Dale Eugene Petersen

Dale Eugene Petersen, the son of Alvin M. and Dagny E. (Christensen) Petersen, was born May 1, 1936, at his parents’ home in Shelby County southeast of Elk Horn, Iowa and died October 8, 2015, at the Cass County Memorial Hospital in Atlantic, Iowa at the age of 79 years, 5 months, and 7 days.
Dale was baptized and confirmed at the Elk Horn Lutheran Church in Elk Horn, Iowa. He attended Elk Horn Community Schools, graduating with the High School Class of 1954. Following graduation he helped operate the family farm.
In March of 1955 he was united in marriage to Ardis Overgaard at her parents’ home in Kimballton, Iowa. Five children, Dean, Kim, Allan, Sheryl, and Maria were born to this union. Dale continued to grow row crops and raise livestock.
On September 14, 1991, he married Muriel (Nielsen) Madsen at the Elk Horn Lutheran Church. They lived on the farm and Dale had continued to operate and manage its operation.
Dale was a life-long member of the Elk Horn Lutheran Church and had been a church council member. He served on the Elk Horn- Kimballton School Board for many years and also served on the Danish Mutual Insurance Board for years. Dale refereed boys and girls High School basketball and girls softball for over 33 years. He was honored in 1996 when he was inducted into the Iowa High School Officials Hall of Fame in recognition of his contributions to the Iowa High School Athletics and Iowa High School Athletic Association. In 2001 he was inducted into the Iowa High School Soft Ball Umpires Hall of Fame and in 2002 he was inducted into the Iowa High School Basketball Officials Hall of Fame. As he got older he retired from officiating and became the official timer at the Iowa State High School Girls Basketball Tournament and was looking forward to another year before he retired. Dale attended 18 NCAA Final Four Tournaments all over the United States. He was an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan. But nothing was more rewarding to Dale than watching his children and grandchildren participate in their many activities.
Dale was preceded in death by his parents and his brother-in-law Maynard Nielsen.
Survivors include his wife Muriel Petersen of Elk Horn, Iowa, his children Dean Petersen and wife Mady Henry of Lafayette, Indiana, Kim Petersen of Denver, Colorado, Allan Petersen of Elk Horn, Iowa, Sheryl and husband Jim Krueger of Blair, Nebraska, and Maria and husband Brian White of Carroll, Iowa; his step-children Lori Sayles, Lynne Madsen, Layna and husband Chad Himmelberg all of Omaha, Nebraska, and Leigh Ann and husband Terry Petersen of Elk Horn, Iowa; his grandchildren Carlie and husband Blake Hendrickson of Iowa City, Iowa, Erica and husband Andy Ostrem of Ames, Iowa, Chelsie Petersen of Los Angeles, California, Jake, Kole, and Alec Krueger all of Blair, Nebraska, and Jarret, Mason, Jack, and Maddox White all of Carroll, Iowa; his step grandchildren Stephanie and Casey Sayles and Nolan and Zach Himmelberg all of Omaha, Nebraska, Emily and Blake Petersen of Elk Horn, Iowa; his great grandchildren Logan and Conner Ostrem both of Ames, Iowa, and Alana Hendrickson of Iowa City, Iowa; his brother-in-law Myron and wife Barb Nielsen of Council Bluffs, Iowa; cousins, other relatives and many friends.
Funeral service will be conducted by Pastor Keith Menter on Wednesday, October 14, 2015, at 10:30 A.M. at the Elk Horn Lutheran Church in Elk Horn, Iowa. Interment will be in the Elk Horn Lutheran Cemetery. The casket bearers will be Jake Krueger, Kole Krueger, Alec Krueger, Jarret White, Mason White, Jack White, Maddox White, Carlie Hendrickson, Erica Ostrem, and Chelsie Petersen. The family will meet with friends Tuesday Evening October 13, 2015, at 5:00 P.M. at the Kessler Funeral Home in Exira, Iowa.