Harold Jay Petersen, 88, of Reinbeck, Iowa, died Wednesday, August 18, 2010, at his Westview Estates home under the care of his family and Cedar Valley Hospice. Funeral Services will be 10:30 A.M., Saturday, August 21, 2010, at the Union Congregational United Church of Christ in Reinbeck, Iowa, with Pastor Joel Love officiating. Burial will follow at the Reinbeck Cemetery in Reinbeck. Military rites will be conducted by American Legion Action Post #242 of Reinbeck. Visitation will be Friday, August 20, 2010, from 4:30 P.M. to 7:00 P.M., at French Hand Funeral Home in Reinbeck, with the family present to greet friends. Memorials may be directed to the family.
Harold Petersen was born February 9, 1922, in Reinbeck, Iowa, the son of Herman and Matie (Willer) Petersen. Harold enjoyed his whole life living in Reinbeck. Harold attended Reinbeck High School and joined the Navy to serve his country in the Pacific in WWII. Returning from the war, Harold ran the family business, Petersen Produce and later in life sold real estate in Waterloo and the surrounding area. On February 18, 1949 in Waterloo, Iowa, Harold was united in marriage to Patricia Joyce Anderson and they began their family.
Harold knew no stranger. He sang and danced his way into the hearts of everyone he met. He loved the music from the Big Band Era and knew the tune and at least some of the words to nearly every song you asked him to sing. Playing cards was a favorite past time. Harold enjoyed cribbage with his family and would let nothing interfere with his bridge game. Harold played golf for many years and was a founding member of Oak Leaf Country Club. He was a member of both the Reinbeck Board of Education and the Reinbeck City Council. He had a lifetime membership at the Elk's Lodge, B.P.O.E., where he enjoyed dinner with family and friends and having lunch and playing cards. He helped organize the local Lion’s Club, was a past commander of American Legion, and was a member of 40&8.
Left to cherish Harold’s memory are his children: Pattie (Bruce) Bailey of Reinbeck, IA; Jo Nelson of Phoenix, AZ; Ron Petersen (Dianne Gearhart) of Reinbeck, IA; Cindy (Bruce) High of Dysart, IA; Marcia (Donnie) Palmer of Reinbeck, IA; David (Wanda) Petersen of Dysart, IA; Pam (Steve) Heithoff of Reinbeck, IA; Janice Holder (New Zealand); grandchildren and great grandchildren, Matt and Emily (Bailey) Wheeler and Elijah and Madeline; Skyler and Anne (Bailey) Boyer and Lauren and Avery; Jay and Beth Nelson and Lilly and Leah; John and Marcy Nelson and Mason; Josh and Ashley Petersen and Taylor; Jordan and Jill (Petersen) Muller; Dan and Kori (Petersen) Hatch and Tanner, Mackenna, and Alyssa; Wes and Sue Beenken and Alli and Reid; Jordan Palmer; Sammi Palmer; Cale and Courtney Petersen and Hailey; Reece Petersen; Paige Petersen; Paul and Suzanne (Holder) Carruthers and Jennifer, Rebecca & Bradley; and two more on the way. Harold also leaves behind many nieces and nephews.
Preceding him in death were his wife Pat; parents Herman and Matie Petersen; two brothers, Alvin and Ralph and eight sisters, Clara Fiet, Irma Petersen, Lena Schmidt, Louisa Johnston, Lucille Ryan, Mabel Engle, Vera Christiansen, and Wilma Capper.