Don Petersen, age 82 died on January 5, 2009, at St. Anthony Regional Hospital in Carroll, Iowa following a brief illness. Donald Ray Petersen was the only child of John Albert "Bert" and Hilda (Frahm) Petersen.

He was born on June 6, 1926, near Manning, Iowa. Don attended elementary school in a country school near Manning and then went to Manning High School, graduating in May 1942. Following graduation from high school, Don farmed with his father near Manning.

On December 29, 1950, Don enlisted and entered service with the United State Air Force. He served 1 year of duty in Korea during the Korean Conflict. He was honorably discharged on December 28, 1954.

Don was united in marriage to Ethel Breidert on October 21, 1951, in Lidderdale, Iowa. After his discharge from the military, he and Ethel moved to Carroll, IA, where he lived the remainder of his life. Don retired from Iowa Electric Light and Power in 1986. Don was an accomplished singer and sang and performed as a soloist and with many different groups throughout the years. One of his greatest joys was singing with a men's quartet, The Flexibles. He spent many years directing the adult choir at church and was also involved in the Carroll Community Theater. Don enjoyed playing cards, reading, fishing, and working crossword puzzles.

He was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Carroll where he had served on many boards. He was also a member of the Lutheran Laymen's League of which he had served as district president. Don was extremely proud of his family and cherished the time he was able to spend with them.

Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Ethel, and children: Kathy (Tony) Robinson of Slater, IA; Randy (Pat) Petersen of Overland Park, KS; Shery (Tom) Reiter of Carroll, IA; Keith (Jane) Petersen of Carroll, IA; Julie (Kurt) Wallace of Knoxville, IA; and Janell (Rob) Boes of Council Bluffs, IA: 16 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. He is also survived by his cousins Letty (Johnny) Stender of Westside, MaryLou (Delmar) Summers of Childress , TX, and Nancy Johnson of Bakersfield, CA. Don was preceded in death by his parents and a granddaughter, Libby Mae Boes. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Thursday, January 8, 2009 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Carroll with Pastor David Anthony and Pastor Brian Licht officiating. Friends may call at the Dahn & Woodhouse Funeral Home in Carroll after 5:00 P.M. on Wednesday where there will be a prayer service held at 7:00 P.M. The casket will be moved to the church at 8:30 A.M. on Thursday to lie in state until the time of service. Casket bearers will be Sam Robinson, Andy Robinson, Dan Petersen, Michael Petetersen, Chris Petersen, Nolan Wallace, Craig Rowedder, Jason Hoffman, and Erik Crawford. Honorary casket bearers will be Kara Rowedder, Melissa Hoffman, Krista Reiter, Nicole Crawford, Hannah Petersen, Abbie Robinson, Hannah Wallace, Claire Boes, Anna Boes, and Ella Boes. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Camp Okoboji in Milford, IA and St. Paul Lutheran Church in Carroll.