Gunnar Edward Petersen

Gunnar Edward Petersen
1923 – 2010
Gunnar Edward Petersen, beloved husband, father, grandfather and great- grandfather, peacefully passed away at his daughter's home on Sunday, March 7, 2010, after suffering a tragic fall down a flight of stairs while on vacation in OR. He was surrounded by family and friends during the last months of his life.
Gunnar was born in Kobenhavn, Denmark on February 26, 1923. He graduated from Ollerup Gymnastikhojskolen in 1947-1948. He was also a member of the Danish Underground during WWII before he met the love of his life, Dagny Jacobsen, at the age of twenty-four. They were married in a civil court in Sonderborg, Denmark on February 25, 1950. On April 19, 1950 they had a church wedding at the insistence of Dagny's family in Klim, Denmark.
The timing of their marriage was critical! Gunnar didn't want to leave Denmark without his true love, and immigration was a long process for her if they didn't marry when they did. They left on their honeymoon to the United States of America on the Polish ship Ms. Batory on May 2, 1950 and arrived in New York on May 12, 1950. Then they completed a four-day journey to California, aboard a Greyhound bus.
Upon arrival, they began working in Madera, California as farm workers until November of 1950. Gunnar harvested grapes, olives and plums. In December of 1950 they both went to work for William W. Hansen, State Assemblymen. Dagny worked as a house-helper and Gunnar as a milker. Hansen recommended Gunnar and Dagny for citizenship, and they became citizens as soon as they could… 5 years later in Los Angeles, CA.
Their first born Erik, arrived on July 8, 1951 in Fresno, CA. Their daughter Mona Lisa was born September 21, 1953. Two months later they bought their first home in West Covina, CA. Gunnar took a job at Driftwood Dairy in El Monte, CA and taught gymnastics at the junior college.
The family moved to Corcoran, CA when Gunnar decided to become an independent milk processor. They bought Home Town Dairy in January of 1960. Dagny continued in her spare time to teach modern social dance and also worked with Gunnar, side-by-side, in their dairy business.
They decided to relocate to Santa Maria, CA. They bought Mr. Milkman, Inc., in November of 1964. Both Gunnar and Dagny devoted themselves to their business. They remained a valued and trusted business in Santa Maria for the next 13 years. His regular customers often referred to Gunnar as "Mr. Milkman", and he enjoyed it very much that people remembered him 30+ years after his business had closed.
Gunnar loved to travel all over the United States. He and Dagny funded their travels by operating a concession business at various county and state fairs. They eventually retired in Grants Pass, OR, where they lived for 17 years. Due to her failing health, Dagny thought it was critical that she and Gunnar move back to Santa Maria, CA to be near her family.
Gunnar decided to stay in Santa Maria and remained involved with Dagny's family, his daughter, granddaughter and his great grandchildren, after her death. He was a longtime member of the Elks Lodge #1538 and belonged to the Vikings in Solvang as well as the Grand Lodge of Dania of California. He was a man with lots of spunk and energy and quite the adventurer!
He is survived by his brothers, Jens Erik Hagen Nielsen and Niels Borge of Denmark; son, Erik Petersen of San Luis Obispo; daughter, Mona Lisa Petersen Gros Jacobsen; son-in-law, John Jacobsen; granddaughter, Alissa Gage; great-grandchildren, Niklaus, Anika, and Angelisa Gage; brother & sisters-in-law, Bertel & Ester Jacobsen, nephews, Peter and Kenny Jacobsen, all of Santa Maria; niece, Edith Johnson of TX; granddaughter, Mary Lise Collison and great grandson, Elijah Collison of PA; as well as many other treasured family members in Denmark.
A Memorial Service for Gunnar will be held Friday, March 26, 2010, at the Elks Lodge #1538, Santa Maria, Ca. at 11:00 a.m. A reception will follow at noon.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to City of Hope, Duarte, California 91010, The Elks of Santa Maria, or The Vikings of Solvang.
He was loved by all who knew him. He treasured his 56 years of marriage with Dagny and will be laid to rest along side her in Klim, Denmark at a later date.

Miss you Morfar, sove godt!!

Arrangements are in the care of Magner-Maloney Funeral Home and Crematory. Sympathy notes and words of support may be expressed at www.magnermaloney.com.