Gerald “Jerry” Petersen

Gerald “Jerry” Duane Petersen, the son of Arnold and Helen (Jensen) Petersen, was born July 12, 1937, at his parents’ home in Audubon, Iowa and died October 5, 2025, at the Friendship Home in Audubon, Iowa at the age of 88 years, 2 months, and 23 days. Jerry was baptized and confirmed at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Audubon. He attended Audubon High School and graduated with the Class of 1955. Jerry enlisted in the United States Army in1955. He was stationed in Germany and was honorably discharged in 1957.

On September 29, 1957, he was united in marriage to Loretta Heiken at the First Presbyterian Church in Audubon. They were blessed with five children Daniel, Ricky, Scott, Cynthia, and Crystal. After returning from the service, Jerry worked for a short time at the Audubon Hatchery. He then worked at the Audubon Produce for several years where he discovered his love for bookkeeping. Jerry began a bookkeeping business and became certified as an H & R Block tax preparer. Jerry and his wife Loretta then owned and operated Audubon Office Supply, the Audubon Laundromat, and the Budget Shop, a consignment store. Jerry’s next adventure came when he sold the building and moved his bookkeeping and tax business to his home office. Around this time, Jerry became a substitute mail carrier with the United States Postal Service until he was given the opportunity to become a full-time Carrier until he retired with 20+ years of civil service. Jerry was very proud of his accident-free career with USPS.

Jerry was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Audubon for over 68 years. He was a member of the Jaycees and the American Legion. He enjoyed being a part of his kids’ activities such as fishing, camping, Boy Scouts, baseball, and golf. He and Loretta enjoyed traveling around Iowa to auctions and flea markets and visited as many county court houses as possible. Jerry was proud of his Danish heritage and genealogy. One of Jerry’s favorite experiences was traveling with Loretta to Branson, Missouri and other venues to hear country music played. Jerry was an avid Iowa Hawkeye fan and spent much of his time following the football and basketball teams. You could count on him hanging his Iowa Hawkeye flag on game day. But, most of all his passion was being with his wife, children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and the rest of his family.

Preceding him in death was his wife, Loretta and his great granddaughter Maya Mann; his parents; his sisters Lois and husband Bill Rasmussen, Gloria and husband Dallas Munch, Charlotte and husband Robert Finnerty, and brother Randall Petersen; his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Bill Schrader, Walter Anderson, Jerry and Nadine Heiken, Marvin Fairchild, Donna and Charles Sacco, John Anderson, and Dennis and Mary Ann Heiken.

Survivors include his children Daniel L. and wife Kasandra Petersen of Ankeny, Iowa, Ricky D. and wife Annette Petersen of Hertel, Wisconsin, Scott A. Petersen of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Cynthia S. and husband Jon Wedemeyer of Waukee, Iowa, and Crystal A. and husband Garry Carlson of Newell, Iowa; his grandchildren Michael and wife Jennifer Petersen, Matthew Petersen, Charcey Petersen, Daniel S. and wife Angie Petersen, Nathanael Petersen, Bethanna and husband Zach Good, Rebekah and husband Nathan Mann, Amanda and husband Jeremy Strom, Jeremiah Petersen, Helga Petersen, Faith Petersen, Charity and husband David Rhine, Elijah Petersen, Joshua Petersen and wife Megan Bannister, Travis and wife Melissa Petersen, Nicholas and wife Sarah Petersen, Bison Petersen, Christopher and wife Kelsey Wedemeyer, Alison Wedemeyer, Benjamin Wedemeyer, Samuel Wedemeyer, Jacob Carlson, Megan Carlson, and Max Carlson; his great grandchildren Brody Petersen, Kennedy Petersen, Rick Petersen, Jonathan Petersen, Iliana Duin, Emma Good, Olivia Good, Athena Petersen, Sabrina Mann, Tucker Mann, Adalynn Moran, Everly Strom, Heiken Strom, Colin Petersen, Quintin Petersen, Theodore Wedemeyer, and Leonard Wedemeyer; his brothers and sisters Wayne “Lefty” and wife Jeanette Petersen, Elizabeth Schrader, and Marilyn Anderson; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Mary Fairchild and Doyle Hunt, Beverly Anderson, Wendy Heiken; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

A public visitation with the family present will be held on Thursday, October 16, 2025, at the Schmidt Family Funeral Home in Audubon from 5 pm till 7 pm. A private graveside service will be held at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery near Adel, IA. Memorials can be made in his name and will be designated at a later date. The Schmidt Family Funeral Home in Audubon is caring for the Petersen family at this time, and condolences can be sent at: schmidtfamilyfh.com