Eric Edward Petersen

Eric Edward Petersen

Eric Edward Petersen, 42 of Kearney passed away unexpectedly on June 13th, 2024 at his home. A celebration of life will be held from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. Saturday, August 3rd, 2024 at O'Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home in Kearney. The family requests casual attire.

Eric was born in Kearney on July 16th, 1981 to Dennis and Flora (Walker) Petersen. He graduated from Kearney High School, class of 2000. Eric was a gifted athlete and he excelled in every sport he tried, including, LL Baseball, soccer, basketball, swimming, diving, golf and football.

True to his way of life in wanting to help others, as a teenager he endured the grueling Red Cross Lifeguard Course and became a certified lifeguard and worked several summers at Harmon Park Pool. Over his lifetime he used these skills to save several lives.

Eric attended Southeast Community College in Lincoln, UNL, and Colorado Mountain College in Steamboat Springs.

He spent many years living and working in Colorado. While living in the Fort Collins area, he worked designing and building customized power chairs for the disabled. While living in Steamboat Springs, he worked at designing and installing security systems. While living in Kearney he worked several years for Deterdings, Century Lumber and The Lockmobile.

Eric could be a little mischievous and sometimes a little goofy, as his friends (of which he had many) and family would all agree. He loved watching funny movies and could recite the lines from many of them.

He loved fishing, camping, whitewater rafting, yard games, being and doing things outdoors and of course he loved the Huskers (regardless of the outcome).

Eric was a good man who loved the Lord, his family, his girlfriend and her son, of whom he was a great father figure, his girlfriend's family, his friends and his pets.

He will be greatly missed by all who were close to him.

He is survived by his parents of Kearney, his sister Heather (Petersen) Welk and husband, Nathan, nieces Abigail Welk and Katie Welk of Kansas, his Grandpa Robert Petersen of Texas, his loving girlfriend Jennifer Clevenger and her son Jameson of Kearney and many aunts, uncles, cousins, friends and pets.

He was preceded in death by his Grandma and Grandpa German of North Platte and Grandma Betty Petersen of Texas. Cousins, Christopher Petersen, Vicky Drew and Otto Lewis. Aunts, Connie Petersen, Twila Kirbey and Alice Asbell. Uncles, Charles Kirbey and Elbert B Walker Jr-KIA US Army.