Funeral Service for Ronald E. Petersen, age 91, of Neligh, Ne were held at 11:00, Thursday, December 4, 2014 at First Congregational United Church of Christ in Neligh, with Pastor Janet Davis, Officiating; Music was provided by Darlene Reiner and Troy Petersen. Pallbearers were Brian Petersen, Troy Petersen, Kevin Petersen, Ted Unterseher, Jason Klawonn, Janet (Klawonn) Steager, Sarah Thornton, Josh Steager, and Chris Unterseher. Honorary pallbearers, Marcella Hughes, Verlan Furstenau, coffee guys at Mama & Nana's, and Senior Citizen Group. Military Rites conducted by Tilden Legion Post #170. Visitation was 5-7 pm Wednesday, December 3, 2014 at Beyer Snider Memorial Funeral Home in Neligh. Ronald passed away on Saturday, November 29, 2014 at Antelope Memorial Hospital in Neligh. Beyer Snider Memorial Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.
Ronald E. Petersen was born August 18, 1923 to Earl and Olive (Wagner) Petersen on a farm south of Tilden. He attended school at District 33, Sunnyview and graduated from Tilden High school in 1941. He entered the Navy in 1944 serving in the Armed Guard Branch on the SS Sea Cardinal delivering fuel and supplies to the South Pacific. He was discharged in 1946. He married Betty Reutzel June 17, 1945 in Reno, Nevada. They lived in San Francisco, Seattle and Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. They returned to Nebraska where he farmed in Boone and Antelope Counties. He retired in 1980 and he worked as a crop hail insurance adjuster.
Ronald was a member of the First Congregational United Church of Christ, Neligh. A lifetime member, past-commander of the American Legion Post 170 of Tilden, Weekend Wanderers and Meadowlark Sam's camping group. Ron enjoyed camping, touring and traveling having visited 46 of the lower 48 states, Alaska, Hawaii, Germany, Switzerland and Liechtenstein and Mexico.
He is survived by one son, Michael (Barb) Petersen of Lincoln, Ne and 3 daughters, Theresa Unterseher of Omaha, Ne, Beverly Petersen of Hampton, Ne and Marlene (Rock) Avery of Danville, Indiana. 10 grandchildren: Brian (Cris) Petersen, Troy Petersen, Kevin Petersen, Chris (Sela) Unterseher, Sarah (Shane) Thornton, Todd Unterseher, Molly Unterseher, Ted (Megan) Unterseher, Jason Klawonn, Janet (Josh) Steager. Eight great grandchildren: Britney High, Maxwell Petersen, Ashley and Shane Jr. Thornton, Kaithlyn Tankesley, Jayden, Rea and Paisyn Unterseher. One sister: Marjoane Frost of Russell, Kansas.
He is preceded in death by his parents, his wife Betty, and sisters, Marion Woodward, Norma Udey, Milre Harshbarger, and Lavern Welburn. Condolences may be directed to the family at
www.beyersnidermemorialfh.com