Allan Lee Petersen

Allan Lee “Pete” Petersen, the son of Verner H. and Marie Christine (Miller) Petersen, was born September 7, 1929, at his parents’ home in Exira, Iowa and died June 26, 2018, at the Exira Care Center in Exira, Iowa at the age of 88 years, 9 months, and 19 days.
Allan was baptized and confirmed at the Exira Lutheran Church in Exira, Iowa. He attended rural school in Greeley Township and Hamlin Township #8 through 8th grade and attended the Exira High School when he wanted to.
Allan was employed at the Ford Garage in Exira through the winter and farmed with his father. He also helped other area farmers and ran the road patrol (road grader). Allan enlisted in the United States Marine Corp and served as a Forward Observer for Naval Gunfire during the Korean Conflict. He proudly served from November5, 1951, until he was honorably discharged on November 4, 1953. Allan returned to the Exira area, helped operate the family farm with his father, and drove truck for Mardesen/Crees.
On April 8, 1956, he was united in marriage to the love of his life Jeanene Abildtrup. They were blessed with four daughters: Terri, Cyndi, Tracy, and Kristi. Farming west of Exira, they raised their girls as well as row crops, livestock, and milked around 30 cows. In 1971, they moved to an acreage on the south edge of Exira. Allan continued to farm, raised livestock, and worked for Purina until he retired. Jeanene had many health issues through their married life and Allan was a devoted and caring husband. In the last years, as Jeanene’s health declined even more, Allan cared for her needs so that she could remain in their home. Jeanene died December 15, 2015. Allan Lee lived in his home until he moved to the Exira Care Center on June 7, 2018.
Allan was a member of the Exira Lutheran Church in Exira. He was a member of and later served as Commander of the American Legion, Ballou Post #332, Exira, Iowa and was a member of the Exira Fire Department. Allan and Jeanene enjoyed traveling and playing cards, belonging to several card clubs.
Preceding him in death was his wife Jeanene; his daughter, Terri Petersen; his parents; his brother Dennis Petersen, his nephews Tony Mendenhall and Mark Abildtrup; his father-n-law and mother-in-law Nels Christian and Lillie Mae (Jensen) Abildtrup; his brothers-in-law Franklin Wahlert and Fletcher Nichols; and his sisters-in-law Judy Abildtrup and Connie Price.
Survivors include his daughters Cyndi and husband Keith Nelson of Carroll, Iowa, Tracy and husband Richard Johnston of Exira, Iowa and Kristi and husband Tom Simpson of Brayton, Iowa; his grandchildren and great grandchildren Sara and husband Jon Glick and their son Anders of Seattle, Washington, Ryan and wife Ryam Nelson and their children Jaya and Jayse Allan of Carroll, Iowa, Bethany Johnston, Meg and husband David Schmidt and their children Sylvie and Sam all of Exira, Iowa, Justice Simpson of Des Moines, Iowa , Kasie Simpson and Calvin Muhr of Exira, Iowa, and Tate Simpson and Riley Sliester of Des Moines, Iowa; his sister Colleen Nichols of Atlantic, Iowa; his brother David and wife Carol Petersen of Ames, Iowa; his sister-in-law Shirley and husband Royal Bierbaum of Griswold, Iowa;; his brother-in-law Myron “Max” and wife Linda Abildtrup of McGregor, Iowa; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
The family will meet with friends Thursday evening, June 28, 2018, at 5:00 p.m. at the Kessler Funeral Home in Exira, Iowa. Funeral services will be conducted by Pastor Steven Frock and Pastor Al Seehusen on Friday, June 29, 2018, at 10:30 a.m. at the Exira Lutheran Church in Exira, Iowa. Interment will be in the Exira Cemetery in Exira. The honorary casket bearers will be Jon Glick, Anders Glick, Jayse Nelson, and Sam Schmidt. The casket bearers will be Keith Nelson, Tom Simpson, Richard Johnston, Ryan Nelson, Tate Simpson, and David Schmidt.