Clifton Sogard Petersen

Clifton Sogard Petersen, the son of Hans and Viola (Sogard) Petersen, was born October 17, 1934, in Audubon, Iowa and passed away on July 19, 2018, at his home in Audubon, Iowa at the age of 83 years, 9 months, and 2 days.
Clifton was baptized and confirmed at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Audubon, Iowa. He attended Audubon Community Schools. At the age of 7, Cliff started delivering the Des Moines Register and Tribune. His ability to provide good service won him many prizes. Later he split the route with his brothers. While in school, Cliff participated in all the sports with baseball being his favorite. Playing baseball with his brothers Bob, Mel, and Larry became a neighborhood event drawing in all the children from the neighborhood. Cliff graduated from the Audubon High School with the Class of 1952. He then was employed at the Audubon Produce hauling eggs. In 1957 he enlisted in the U. S. Army. During his tour of duty he served stateside with the 82nd Airborne Paratroopers. He was honorably discharged in 1959. Cliff returned to Audubon and was employed as a bartender for a short time before he purchased the business and established Cliff’s Lounge.
On April 3, 1964, he was united in marriage to Monica Koenig and became the father to her four young sons. Cliff and Monica worked together operating Cliff’s Lounge. The Lounge soon became a favorite meeting place for friends. When Cliff heard “see you at Cliff’s” his heart swelled with pride. In 1973 Cliff and Monica Built Sogard’s Restaurant on the north side of Audubon which they operated for several years before they sold it and returned to running Cliff’s Lounge. The Lounge was located in the basement of a building for many years and in 1984 they purchased a building on lower Broadway Street. With the help of Cliff’s “Cronies” the building was remodeled and for the first time Cliff was able to see the sun. Cliff, besides operating the Lounge also became a rural mail carrier which he enjoyed for many years until he had to retire due to his health. Monica would run the Lounge until Cliff returned from the mail route and he would take over. They operated the Lounge for over 46 years later selling the business.
Cliff was a member of Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Audubon. In 1960, Cliff joined the Audubon Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department. In 1973 he became the Fire Chief and served in that capacity for over 27 years then resigning as Chief and becoming the Department’s Secretary-Treasurer in 2006, an office he has still continued to hold. He was a member of the National Fire Chiefs Association and the Iowa Fire Chiefs Association. Cliff took great pride and joy serving with the many good people that helped to develop the Department into what it is today. In 1963, Cliff became a charter member of the Junior Chamber of Commerce. The “Jaycees” helped to build “Albert” the world’s largest Bull in 1964. Cliff helped to promote Audubon by participating in four Sell-See Iowa tours traveling to New Orleans, San Francisco, San Antonio, and Bangor, Maine. Cliff was a longtime member of the Audubon Chamber of Commerce, serving as president in 1973. He received the Governor’s Volunteer Award in 1980 and was named Audubon’s Citizen of the Year in 2000.
Preceding him in death was his son Jeffrey Petersen; his parents; and his brothers Robert and wife Lola Petersen and Melvin Petersen.
Survivors include his wife of 54 years Monica J. Petersen of Audubon, Iowa; his sons Darwin and wife Julie Petersen of Ida Grove, Iowa, Scott Petersen and wife Ann Tanis and Perry and wife Tammy Petersen all of Omaha, Nebraska; his granddaughter Lindsey and husband Mike Henderson and his grandson Chase Petersen all of Omaha, Nebraska; his great grandchildren Graci and Evan Henderson also of Omaha, Nebraska; his brother Larry and wife Phyllis Petersen of Audubon, Iowa; his sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law Estelle Petersen of Burlington, North Carolina, Jerry and wife Linda Koenig of Audubon, Iowa, Jacque Koenig and Dean Koenig both of Boulder, Utah; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
The family will meet with friends Tuesday evening, July 24, 2018, at 4:00 p.m. at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Audubon, Iowa. Funeral services will be conducted by Pastor Doug Opp on Wednesday morning, July 25, 2018, at 10:30 a.m. at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Audubon, Iowa. Interment will be in the Maple Grove Cemetery in Audubon. The honorary casket bearers will be Lawrence and Doris Handlos, Stephen and Alice May, Alan and Peggy Smalley and the members of the Audubon Fire and Rescue Association. The casket bearers will be Bruce Christensen, Paul Madsen, Kirk Thygesen, Mark Heller, Terry “TAT” Thygesen, Stan Weihs, Tyler Thygesen, and Steve Stetzel. The family prefers memorials to the Audubon Fire and Rescue Association, 706 S. Arlington St., Audubon, Iowa 50025