Alvin George Petersen

Alvin George Petersen, son of Mathias Joseph and Anna Christina (Hansen) Petersen, was born September 13, 1921 at home on the family farm 2 miles north of Tilden, Nebraska, which was his home his entire life. He attended the Madison County District #4 school through the 8th grade. He received his High School diploma through the Nebraska Department of Veterans Affairs Program in 2000.

Alvin farmed with his father until joining the Navy on August 26, 1942, during World War II. He had his boot training and attended machinist school at the Great Lakes Naval Training Station in Chicago. He was then assigned to the Naval Repair Ship #A.R.5, U.S.S. Vulcan. Alvin served the Atlantic theater until all landings were completed, then went to the Pacific area until he was sent back to the U.S. for rehabilitation, and spent his remaining time of service in a repair base at San Diego where he was discharged on October 13, 1945. Upon returning home, he purchased the home farm and farmed until retiring in 2002.

On December 27, 1944, he married Mabel “Ruth” Escritt, and to this union there were four sons and five daughters born. He was a board member of the School District #4 and for 12 years served on the board of Elkhorn Valley Schools, serving in various capacities. Alvin was also a member of the Madison County Farm Bureau serving in various capacities at both the county and state levels. He served on the Extension Board and other agricultural organizations, and was a member of the American Legion. Alvin was instrumental in starting the Church of Christ in Tilden, which met in his home for two years before acquiring a building in town. He was an elder in the church and a Sunday School teacher for many years.

Because of the love of Gospel music, Alvin and his family did programs for many area functions, sang at nursing homes, New Year’s Eve Sings, and in many churches. Alvin also sang for many funerals.

Ruth died on December 1, 1983, and on August 8, 1987, Alvin married Mary “Jean” Keller of Mooresville, Indiana. They spent summers in Nebraska farming and winters in Indiana with their families there. They also did a lot of traveling throughout the United States and several foreign countries.

Alvin died on December 19, 2015, at Miller’s Merry Manor, in Mooresville, at the age of 94 years, 3 months, and 6 days. He is survived by his wife, Jean; son, George (Susan) Petersen of Mooresville, Indiana; daughter, Merna (Leland) Vandeveer of Roscoe, Illinois; daughter, Bonnie (Steven) Williams of Bemidji, Minnesota; daughter, Ellen (Tom) Reedy of Mooresville, Indiana; son, John (Jo) Petersen of Tilden, Nebraska; daughter, Romona (Tom) Noble of Norfolk, Nebraska; daughter Ruth Hyndman of Kalama, Washington; son, Joe (Sheryl) Petersen of Scottsbluff, Nebraska; step-daughter, Deanna (Howard) Smith of Mooresville, Indiana; 35 grandchildren; more than 50 great grandchildren; brother, Wayne (Francis) Petersen of Edina, Minnesota; and many other relatives, neighbors, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Ruth; one son, Timothy; grandson, Benjamin; great granddaughter, Tyra; three sisters, Louise, Marie Schnoor, Leona Hall; four brothers, Carsten, Walter Herman, and Elmer.

Friends and family will gather to honor and celebrate the life of Alvin George Petersen, from 4 to 7 p.m., Wednesday, December 23, 2015, in the chapel at Carlisle – Branson Funeral Service & Crematory, Mooresville. Revs., Jeff Faull, Terry Crist, and Dave Thurman will co-officiate the 7 p.m. funeral service. Additional visitation and services will be held at Brockhaus Funeral Home in Norfolk, Nebraska. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the building fund at Mt. Gilead Church, 6019 E. State Road, Mooresville, IN 46158. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home. Visit www.CarlisleBranson.com to share a favorite memory, view the Life Story video, or to sign the online guest registry.