Larry Lewis Petersen, 71, of Exira, Iowa, died Thursday, December 4, 2025, at the Exira Care Center, surrounded by his family.
Larry was born on February 10, 1954, in Mason City, Iowa. At five weeks of age, he was adopted by Lewis and Marie (Wolff) Petersen and was baptized at Exira Lutheran Church. He grew up in the country south of Exira and cherished memories of walking the timber with his BB gun, picking apples and cherries with his mom, and helping his dad with chores. At the age of 10, Larry’s mother, Marie, tragically passed away—an event that had a lasting impact on his life. Following her death, Larry and his father lived on the farm for a short time before moving into town across from Exira Lutheran Church.
He attended Exira High School and participated in wrestling, track, and football. Before completing high school, Larry decided a traditional education was no longer for him and set out on several adventures in his ’55 Chevy, traveling to Florida and later Arizona. He later earned his GED and was grateful to the Class of 1972 for welcoming him into their reunions—many of which he helped plan over the years.
One day in Audubon, Larry saw a young woman and declared to his friend, “Someday I am going to marry that girl.” On November 6, 1980, Larry and Angie Larsen were united in marriage in Audubon, Iowa. They shared 45 years together. Larry was the proud father of seven children, eleven grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren.
Larry was a hardworking man who explored many careers throughout his life. His work included jobs at a gas station in Des Moines; a manufacturing company in Cedar Rapids; a horse ranch in Marietta, Oklahoma; construction of bridges, steel buildings, and grain elevators in Iowa, North Dakota, and Oklahoma; moving furniture for apartments; serving as a security officer in Omaha; working as a manager at CDS Global in Harlan; building maintenance at Pamida; front desk services at Econo Lodge; and delivering USA Today along the I-80 corridor to Des Moines. His love of science even led him to selling Encyclopedia Britannica for a time, and he proudly built a special shelf for his personal set, which he read from often.
In the early 1980s, Larry purchased his first computer and set up an office in his small barn, marking the beginning of a long and prosperous career in technology. His work with computers led him to Hennick TV & Repair in Exira, along with helping countless friends and neighbors with their computer needs. In 1991, he began working for Audubon County Rural Addressing—work he approached with great pride—which later led him to open his own business, Graphic Data Services.
Larry was an active member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, where he served countless Knights of Columbus fish fry meals, helped with the highway trash pick-up project, and assisted with roofing projects. He was also a member of Masonic Lodge Veritas No. 392 and Toastmasters.
Larry was a devoted Star Trek fan. His favorite things included chocolate chip cookies, apple pie, The Rolling Stones, The Who, cheeseburgers, onion rings, and the color blue.
Larry is survived by his wife, Angie Petersen of Exira; his children, Chris (Amanda) Petersen of Appleton, Wisconsin; Stacey Petersen of Bondurant; Amberley (Jeff) Peterson of Rockwell City; Adam Petersen of Atlantic; Lachelle Petersen of Atlantic; Lucas (Kaitlyn) Petersen of Lafayette, Indiana; and Amelia Petersen of Cedar Rapids; his grandchildren, Tia (Trevor) Degeneffe of De Pere, Wisconsin; Tannon (Rayne) Petersen of Menosha, Wisconsin; Tony Peterson of Tok, Alaska; Andrew Peterson of Audubon; Alec and Lilly Hawkins of Rockwell City; Aiden Petersen of Ames; Andrew Petersen of Atlantic; Tristan Dorscher of Council Bluffs; Skyler Nelsen of Exira; and Grace Nelsen of Atlantic; his great-grandchildren, Dodge, Claire, and Mason Degeneffe of De Pere, Wisconsin; Charlie and Michael Petersen of Menosha, Wisconsin; and Jersey Peterson of Carroll; and his siblings, Judy Madson, Bill Koening, and Rose Koening. He was preceded in death by his parents, Lewis and Marie Petersen, and his sister-in-law, Rhonda Goetz.
Visitation with the family present will begin at 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 9, at Roland Funeral Home in Atlantic, followed by a funeral service at 6:00 p.m. Following the service, the family invites guests to a dinner reception in honor of Larry’s life at the Cass County Community Center. Burial will take place at a later date at St. Patrick’s Catholic Cemetery in Audubon.
Roland Funeral Service is caring for Larry’s family and arrangements. Condolences may be left at www.rolandfuneralservice.com.
