Russell Eugene Petersen

Russell Eugene Petersen, the son of Alvin and Sarah (Peterson) Petersen, was born December 24, 1925, at his parents’ home in Douglas Township, Audubon County, Iowa and died January 27, 2012, at the Audubon County Memorial Hospital in Audubon, Iowa at the age of 86 years, 1 month, and 3 days. Russell attended rural school in Audubon County and then attended high school in Harlan, Iowa and Audubon, Iowa. Russell then helped operate the family farm near Fiscus, Iowa. On February 16, 1947, he was united in marriage to Bonnie Thompson at the Methodist Church Chapel in Harlan, Iowa. Five children were born to this union. They moved to a farm north of Kimballton, Iowa. They raised livestock and grain on the same farm for over 57 years. He retired from farming and in 2004 moved into Kimballton. Russell was on the Douglas County Board of Review, served as a Douglas Township Trustee for many years and was on the Douglas Township Election Board. His passion was farming. He enjoyed playing fast pitch softball and was an excellent pitcher. He umpired many baseball and softball games and enjoyed playing cards. But most of all, Russell enjoyed spending time with his family. Russell was preceded in death by his grandson Eric Petersen; his parents; his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Kenneth and wife Geraldine Thompson, Marilyn and husband Frank Briggs, and Harold Baeth. Survivors include his wife of 64 years Bonnie Petersen of Kimballton, Iowa; his children Larry and wife Sandy Petersen of Avoca, Iowa; Rick and wife Ann Petersen of Spring Grove, Illinois; Joni and husband Brent Christensen of Corning, Iowa; Carol and husband Kent Baier of Brayton, Iowa; Carla and husband Bob Gust of Audubon, Iowa; 13 grandchildren; 4 great grandchildren; his sister-in-law Beverly Baeth of Des Moines, Iowa; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

Cemetery:
Interment will be in the Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery in Kimballton, Iowa.

Service:
Funeral services will be conducted by Pastor Jud Stover on Tuesday, January 31, 2012 at 10:30 A.M. at the Kessler Funeral Home in Audubon, Iowa.

Visitation:
The family will meet with friends Monday evening starting at 5:30 P.M. at the Kessler Funeral Home in Audubon