Ernest Dale Petersen

1928 - 2014

Funeral services for Ernest D. Petersen, 86, were held Friday, Nov. 14, 2014 at 10:30 a.m. at Bethany Lutheran Church near Kimballton. Pastor Sam Jacobs officiated. Casketbearers were Christopher Petersen, Stefan Petersen, Evan Spence, Benjamin Petersen, Amber Spence and Ed Hansen. Military Honors were conducted by Am Vets Post #51 at the Bethany Lutheran Cemetery near Kimballton.
Ernest Dale, son of Wilhelm and Florence (Nelson) Petersen, was born Jan. 16, 1928, on his familys' farm in Polk Township north of Redline. When the family moved to Jackson Township he attended Jackson #1 school. As a boy he and  his family raised tomatoes for a local canning company.    In 1946 Ernest and his brother Lester bought a truck to haul livestock. They started out in a garage that was located near their farm.
   On Jan. 12, 1951 Ernest was united in marriage with Bernice Mortensen at Bethany Lutheran Church near Kimballton. Six days later Ernest reported to Ft. Riley, Kan., where he completed basic training in the U.S. Army and was selected for advanced NCO training. He was promoted to the rank of Corporal and assigned to the 28th Infantry Division. In route to Korea he was selected to serve in the elite Honor Guard to Gen. Matthew Ridgway, Supreme Commander of Allied Forces, headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. After his honorable discharge, Ernest returned to Kimballton where he and Bernice established their home. The Petersen Brothers' Trucking Company became Peterson Brothers' Feed & Grain with the 1975 addition of a grain elevator and storage bins in Jacksonville.
Three children were born to Bernice and Ernest. Their family was their first priority. They took pleasure attending their children and grandchildren's ball games. Ernest and Bernice enjoyed bowling and playing cards with friends and Ernest also enjoyed spending time at the casino. Ernest was a member of Bethany Lutheran Church and Am Vets Post #51.  
Bernice preceded Ernest in death in 2000 after which he became semi-retired but continued to go to the Jacksonville Station daily. He found time to enjoy his riding mower on his large lawn, taking pride in its appearance.
Shortly after moving to the Salem Lutheran Home in Elk Horn, Ernest died on Monday, Nov. 10, 2014. He was 86 years, 9 months and 25 days.
He is preceded in death by his parents; wife Bernice Petersen; brother Lester Petersen; and sisters Doris Hansen and Laverne Klindt. 
He is survived by daughters Judy Petersen and Tami Petersen, both of Spokane, Wash.; son Dean Petersen (Mary) of Audubon; grandchildren: Chris Petersen (Gina),  Amber Spence (Evan), Ben Petersen (Shelly) and Stefan Petersen (special friend Jessica Devitt);  six great-grandchildren: Reagan, Cale, Drew and Emery Petersen; Penn Spence; and Reid Petersen; other relatives and friends.