Obituaries : Ralph H. Petersen

VAN HORNE:     Ralph Hans Petersen, 81, died Wednesday, May 25, 2011 at his rural residence following a sudden illness.

     A Mass Of Christian Burial will be held at 10 am, Saturday, May 28, 2011 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Van Horne with Father Brian Dellaert as Celebrant.  Interment will be held at Holy Cross Cemetery near Keystone.  Friends may call at Phillips Funeral Home Chapel in Keystone from 4 to 7 pm on Friday, where a Scripture Service will begin at 7 pm.  Visitation will continue one hour prior to service time at the church on Saturday.   A Memorial Fund has been established for the American Lung Association.

     Ralph was born July 23, 1929 near Newhall to Hans and Lena (Hessenius) Petersen and graduated from the Van Horne High School in 1947.

     On August 21, 1948 he was united in marriage to Patricia Duncalf at Cedar Rapids.

     Ralph was a life long farmer, owned a corn shelling business, and built car washing and power washing machines.  A member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Ralph had served on the Van Horne Telephone Board for forty years and as Board President for twenty-five years.

     He is survived by his wife, Patricia of Van Horne; his son, Steve (Judy) Petersen of Chelsea; his daughter, Sherry (Dave) Gahring of Keystone; five grandchildren, John (Misty) Gahring, Michael Gahring, Dan (Mary) Gahring, Jennifer Gahring, Eric Petersen and financee, Andrea; his step-grandchildren, Rob (Kim) Stewart, Ron (Rita) Stewart, and Tracy (Lance) Wauters; his great-grandchildren, Brianna and Alaina Gahring, and Rachel Petersen; his brother, Lorenz (Bernice) Petersen of Anamosa; and his sisters, Leona (John) Danker of Marengo, and Frances Fisher of Van Horne.

     In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his grandson, Chris Petersen; and his brothers, Harold and Willie Petersen.

     Condolences may be left at:  www.phillipsfuneralhomes.com