Virginia A. Petersen

Virginia A. Petersen, the daughter of Carl George Swolley, Sr. and Helen Luella (King) Swolley was born January 25, 1936 in Atlantic, Iowa and died October 8, 2012 at the Allen House in Atlantic, Iowa at the age of 76 years, 8 months, and 13 days. Virginia attended Atlantic Community Schools and Atlantic High School. On September 1, 1953, she was united in marriage to Melvin Lee Petersen, Sr. by the Justice of the Peace in Atlantic, Iowa. In 1954, they moved northwest of Exira where they started farming. In 1967, they moved to a farm west of Brayton, Iowa. During this time Virginia was a homemaker raising the children. She also raised ducks, geese, chickens, and cows. She always had a large garden which she enjoyed tending. In 1975, in addition to farming they started a trucking business. Virginia was the secretary and dispatcher until they sold the business to Melvin, Jr. in 1996 but continued to farm. Melvin died May 25, 2010. Virginia lived on the farm then moved to the Allen House on December 29, 2010. Virginia attended the First United Methodist Church in Atlantic, Iowa. She enjoyed all the activities at the Allen House. She enjoyed being with her family, especially the grandchildren. Preceding her in death was her husband Melvin Lee Petersen; her granddaughter Carlee Petersen; her parents; her sisters and brother: Audrey Seller; Janet and husband Darrell Popp; Barbara and husband Dean Kuntzweiler; and Richard Swolley; her mother-in-law and father-in-law: Peter and Ida Khynn Petersen; her sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law: Elise and husband Leo Johansen; Eva and husband Elmer Larsen; Lorraine and husband Glen Larsen; Donald and wife Avis Petersen; Glen and wife Lola Petersen; Vernon and wife Ruth Petersen; Maxine and husband Jerry Miller; and her nephew: Carl Warren Swolley. Survivors include her children: Melvin Petersen, Jr. and wife Linda and Rodney and wife Mona Petersen all of Atlantic, Iowa, Dave and wife Jodi Petersen and Larry and wife Audrey Petersen all of Audubon, Iowa, Judy and husband Bill Sandbothe of Marne, Iowa, and Dennis Petersen of Exira, Iowa; 44 grandchildren; 29 great grandchildren; 1 great great grandson; her brother Carl Swolley, Jr. of Mission, Texas, brother-in-law Tim Seller of Atlantic, Iowa; sister-in-law Virginia Swolley of Atlantic, Iowa; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Cemetery:
Interment will be in the Hamlin Lutheran Cemetery in Hamlin.

Visitation:
The family will meet with friends on Tuesday evening at 5:00 P.M. at the Kessler Funeral Home in Exira.

Service:
Funeral services will be conducted by Pastor Lanette Plambeck on Wednesday, October 10, 2012, at 10:30 A.M. at the Kessler Funeral Home in Exira, Iowa.