In Memory of Leon O. Petersen

Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, June 7, 2016 at the St. Paul Lutheran Church of Ida Grove, Iowa. The Reverend Richard A. Salcido will officiate. Committal Services will follow in the Ida Grove Cemetery, with Military Rites conducted by the McNamara Moore Post No. 61 of the American Legion both of Ida Grove, Iowa. A visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Monday, June 6, 2016, at the Christensen – Van Houten Funeral Home, of Ida Grove, Iowa. The Christensen - Van Houten Funeral Home of Ida Grove, Iowa is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online to

www.christensenvanhouten.com

                Leon O. Petersen was born to Chris A. & Christina J. (Janssen) Petersen on June 15, 1932, in Ida Grove, Iowa. He was baptized and confirmed in the Trinity Lutheran Church (Grant Township) of Ida Grove. Attending rural school through the 8^th grade, he graduated from the Ida Grove High School with the class of 1950.

            Drafted into the United States Army in 1952, Leon was in the Korean War and attained the rank of Sergeant First Class (SFC) in the 9^th Artillery Battalion of the Armed Forces.  He returned from Korea in 1954.

            Leon farmed with his father south of Ida Grove. He met his wife, Joan K. Kies, who was a teacher in the Ida Grove School system.  They were married on August 12, 1956, at the Emmanuel Lutheran Church of Lake View, Iowa. They moved to a farm south of Ida Grove where they farmed for many years and were blessed with two sons, David Lee and Chris William.

            Leon and Joan were faithful members of Trinity Lutheran Church (Grant Township) of Ida Grove. In 1969 they became members of St. Paul Lutheran Church of Ida Grove, after the closing of the Trinity Lutheran Church due to a storm.  He held various offices through the years in both the Trinity and St. Paul Lutheran Church.

            Leon was on the Ida County State Bank Board which later became United Bank of Iowa, for 34 years, from 1977 until 2011. He also was a member of the McNamara Moore Post No. 61 of the American Legion.

            Leon and Joan moved into Ida Grove in 1998.  He continued farming for several years, also helping his nephew Ron, and other friends with their farming.  Leon enjoyed coffee with the guy’s and playing cards. Especially with the “500” group of which he & Joan were members of for many years. He especially enjoyed going to all the grandchildren events, of which there were many, and in earlier years, going to the ISU Football games.

            Left to cherish Leon’s memory are his loving wife of 59 years, Joan K. Petersen of Ida Grove, Iowa; children David L. (Karen) Petersen of Ida Grove, Iowa and Chris W. (Kim) Petersen of Ames Iowa; four grandchildren: Nick Petersen of Des Moines, Iowa, Lexie and Sarah Petersen of Ida Grove, Iowa and Katie Petersen of Ames, Iowa; sister-in-law, Berdine Petersen of Ida Grove, Iowa; several nieces, nephews and a host of friends

            He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Virgil, Gilbert, and Emmet Petersen.