Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
FUNERAL HOME
Leland Petersen Obituary
Petersen graduated Senior Block B member in 1960 from Bellarmine College Preparatory. On May 24, 1964 he married Sandra Lee Parker in Placer County and together they raised three children. In 1967 he earned an Associate degree in Fire Science and in July of that year became a fireman for the Santa Clara County Central Fire District. He retired as a Captain for the San Jose Fire Department on October 3, 1996. Throughout life and until his passing, Petersen was an accomplished rancher and recognized horseman with a passion for showing, breeding and raising quarter horses.
Petersen is preceded in death by his father (1948), mother (1982), brother Eric J. Petersen (2016), maternal grandparents Paul A. Ganshirt (1964) and Gladys M. Savory (1980), and paternal grandparents Peter H.W. Petersen (1963) and Anne Nielson (1967). He is survived by his wife of 58 years, step-daughter Susan C. Balster-Hoenck, daughter Lisa K. Amador, son Leland P. Petersen, grandchildren Heather A. Kennedy, Leland A. Petersen, Tiffany Ann Brownie, Robert B. Hoenck, and great grandchildren Dani-Leigh Kennedy and Abigail Brownie.
A memorial to honor his life and 30-year service to the community will be held at the San Jose Fire Museum located on 201 N. Market Street, on Saturday, February 12th, at 11 a.m.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Leland Petersen
Sponsored by Habing Family Funeral Home.
3 Entries
Tom Vance
December 6, 2022
posting Dec 6, 2022 my deepest smypathies to the Peterson Family and Sandi. Lee Pete was his nickname at Alum Rock Station. I as a young volunteer firefighter 18yrs old early 1970s at Alum Rock, learned the ropes on duty with all of A.B and C shift. I fought many fires with Lee and learned quickly with his guidance and mostly his coolness. I never saw him get rattled in an emergency scene. I made a tactical error on one fire that turned out OK, Pte so cool, tapped me on the shoulder and said, "remember who the Captain is" with a great smile, and I replied yes sir!( I pulled the inch and a half of the back of Squad 12 before he wanted the rig stopped" on a working fire off S Jackson. Pete was always so cool......when Sandi Petersen would stop by the Alum Rock Station the place lit up as her personality was tops and always smiling.........so sad to see that Pete has passed on. ...my best to you Sandi, and your family, I also posted on the SJFire FB page when this was announced and here now....Pete was tops........
Susan meyer
January 26, 2022
Dear Sandy, Your dear Lee was so beloved. I thank God for having you and Lee in my life. Love, Susan Meyer
Carrie Williams
January 22, 2022
Lee brought so much enjoyment to people's lives. Always with a smile, he would educate us on many topics. From the time we were little kids to GCI and then the Reiners. So many special memories that he photographed so we could still enjoy them today. Thank you Lee!
Showing 1 - 3 of 3 results
Make a Donation
in Leland Petersen's name
Memorial Events
for Leland Petersen
How to support Leland's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor Leland Petersen's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
