Ronald Dean, son of Daniel and Jessie (Petersen) Petersen, was born January 9, 1936, on the family farm near Poplar in Audubon County, Iowa. He grew up on the family farm and attended country school at Jackson #1 through the eighth grade. Ronald then took over the family farm as his father became ill.
On December 16, 1955, Ronald was united in marriage with Adrienne Hansen at Minitonas, Manitoba, Canada. Two children were born to this couple. Ronald and Adrienne farmed the family farm for many years. Ronald also worked as an adjuster for Farmers Mutual Hail Association. Towards the end of their working years, Ron and Adrienne refinished and sold wood furniture. They enjoyed going to sales with their motor home pulling a trailer full of furniture to sell. When traveling became too much for them, they still enjoyed refinishing pieces that were brought to them.
Throughout the years, Ronald was a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church and the Iowa Packard Car Club. He enjoyed playing cards with his friends at the library, tending his big garden and working in his workshop. Above all, Ronald loved his family.
For the last year, Ronald was on dialysis and his age caught up with him. On Thursday, January 20, 2022, he passed away at Jennie Edmundson Hospital in Council Bluffs, Iowa. He was 86 years and 11 days of age.
Ronald was preceded in death by his parents, a grandson Gregory Petersen, and three sisters: Florence Rasmussen, Verda Kefer and Marilyn Gray.
He is survived by his wife Adrienne Petersen of Elk Horn; two children: Kalvin (Sharon) Petersen of Alta and Glenda (Doug) Rasmussen of Colorado Springs, Colorado; 6 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild.
Funeral service will be held at 3 PM on Sunday, June 5, 2022, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church at Jacksonville. Ronald’s family will receive friends from 2 PM to 3 PM at the church on Sunday. Interment will be in Jacksonville Cemetery next to the church.
