GARY L. PETERSEN
February 17, 1936 - September 3, 2022
Gary Lydell Petersen, son of Ezra and Christine (Anderson) Petersen was born February 17, 1936, in Elk Horn, IA. and passed from this life Saturday, September 3, 2022, at his home in Osceola, IA at 86 years of age. Gary grew up in Elk Horn and graduated from Elk Horn High School. He served in the U.S. Army and was honorably discharged in1957. Gary was united inmarriage to Judith Kay Jacobsen on March 13, 1960, in Hancock, Iowa and two daughters, Teri and Kimberly blessed this union.
Gary joined the Iowa Highway Patrol in 1962 and was station with Post 1 in Des Moines and in 1975 was promoted to sergeant to Post 2 in Osceola. Gary retired from the Iowa State Patrol in 1995 after servicing 33 1/2 years. Gary was a member of the Iowa State Troopers Association, Iowa State Patrol Supervisors Association and had served on the Clarke County Board of Supervisors and the Osceola City Counsel.
Gary was a loving family man. His family was his greatest love and attending the activities of his great grandchildren gave him great joy. Gary also enjoyed woodworking, boating and drawing - especially on paper napkins at restaurants.
Those relatives who preceded Gary in death were his parents, Ezra and Christine Petersen, father-in-law and mother-in-law, Harry and Ruby Jacobsen, brother, Darwin Petersen, sister, Myrna Sahl, sister-in-law, Wanda Petersen and brother-in-law, Donald Johannsen. Gary leaves to cherish his memory, his wife of 62 years, Judy Petersen of Osceola, IA, daughter, Teri Townsend of Osceola, IA., daughter, Kim Jones of Indianola, IA., grandchildren, Derick (Sarah)Jones, of Seymour, IA., Jennifer (Kyle) Watson of Ellston, IA., Jesse Jones of Des Moines, IA., Krystal Townsend of Clearwater, FL. 9 great grandchildren, brother Marc(Carlene) Petersen of Omaha, NE., and sister-in-law Margaret Johannsen of Avoca, IA., Randy Baumann of Indianola, IA. Kevin Townsend of Osceola, IA., nieces and nephews, as well as other relatives and many friends.
A Celebration of his Life will be Sunday, September 11, 2022 from1:00 to 3:00 at the Osceola Eagles. Cremation was entrusted to Kale Funeral Home in Osceola.
