Emery Albert Petersen

Emery Albert Petersen, the son of Chris N. and Lydia (Andersen) Petersen was born July 9, 1921, at his parents’ home near Jacksonville, Iowa and died September 25, 2015, at the Friendship Home in Audubon, Iowa at the age of 94 years, 2 months, and 16 days.
Emery was baptized and confirmed at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Kimballton, Iowa. He attended rural school in Sharon Township, Audubon County then was employed by Frank Andersen in Poplar, Iowa driving truck and helping with repairs. On June 26, 1942, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. During his tour of duty he served aboard the USS ANCON in the European and the Asiatic-Pacific Theatres. Emery was honorably discharged on January 27, 1946, and returned to the area and farmed.
On March 18, 1948, he was united in marriage to Mabel Marian Larsen at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. Three children were born to this union. They lived on and operated several different farms in Audubon County. In 1978 they moved to Elk Horn, Iowa where Emery became a truck driver for Western Engineering. He was an over-the-road truck driver and in the later years Mabel would accompany him on his trips. Emery retired in 1998 and they lived in Elk Horn until he and Mabel moved to the Friendship Home in Audubon, Iowa in October of 2010. Mabel died on April 27, 2011.
Emery was a member of the Hamlin Lutheran Church in Hamlin, Iowa. He enjoyed tinkering and making projects out of wood. One of Emery’s greatest memories was going on the Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. with his son Gene. He enjoyed visiting and loved to trade stories to his many friends. But most of all Emery enjoyed spending time with his family especially his grandchildren.
Preceding him in death in addition to his wife Mabel; were his children an infant son Ricky Lynn Petersen, his daughter Pamela Petersen, and son Gene Petersen; his parents; his sisters Iona and husband Leo Maier, Shirley Lillard; his brother-in-law Edward Lane Jr.; and his sister-in-law Margaret Andersen. Survivors include his grandchildren Robby and wife Julie Anderson of Elk Horn, Iowa, Marcy and husband Todd Larsen of Kimballton, Iowa, Brice Petersen of Colorado, and Brian Petersen of LeMars, Iowa; his great grandchildren Cole Anderson of Omaha, Nebraska, Koy Anderson of Council Bluffs, Iowa, Mandy Soll of Griswold, Iowa, Jesse Larsen of Woodbine, Iowa, Justin and wife Beth Larsen, Madison Larsen and McKenna Larsen all of Kimballton, Iowa and Cayden Petersen of Sioux City, Iowa; his great great grandchildren Daltyn Soll of Griswold, Iowa and Brody Larsen of Kimballton, Iowa; his son-in-law Rich Petersen of Aurelia, Iowa; his daughter-in-law Lois Petersen of Mesa, Arizona; his sister Vivian Lane of Atlantic, Iowa; his brother Orville Dean and wife LaVonne Petersen of St. Paul, Minnesota; his brother-in-law Franklin Andersen of Exira, Iowa; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
The Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be conducted by Pastor Steven Frock on Monday, September 28, 2015, at 2:00 P.M. at the Friendship Home in Audubon, Iowa. Inurnment will be in the Hamlin Lutheran Cemetery east of Hamlin, Iowa. The honorary casket bearers will be Brice Petersen, Brian Petersen, Jesse Larsen, Justin Larsen, Cole Anderson, Koy Anderson, Mandy Soll, Madison Larsen, McKenna Larsen Daltyn Soll and Brody Larsen.