Obituary of Bobbie Petersen

Bobbie Louis Petersen, the son of Ludwig and Vera (Dagel) Petersen was born on March 2, 1935 in Sibley, Iowa. He grew up in the Ocheyedan, Iowa, area where he attended the local schools and graduated in 1955 from Ocheyedan High School. At the age of nine Bob survived Polio but was told he would never walk because of a weakness on his left side. Within the year he had taught himself to walk. This sheer will power and stubbornness served him well throughout his life. After graduating high school Bob went on to attend Auto Mechanic School in Kansas City, MO. He was united in marriage to Roberta Frick on her 18th birthday, July 3, 1957 at the 1st Congregational Church in Ocheyedan, IA. The couple was blessed with three children Diane, Duane and Delores. Bob worked as a mechanic for various shops. After moving to Hartley, he worked for Boyer Chevrolet and the Car Care Center. Forced to retire because of his health, he continued to fix small engines for family and friends. Bob passed away at the Sanford Sheldon Medical Center on Thursday, June 25, 2009 at the age of 74. Bob enjoyed being outdoors hunting, camping, snowmobiling, boating and fishing. He and Roberta enjoyed many trips with family and friends. Bob was an inventor. If there was something that needed to be made, he would come up with a plan. He enjoyed wood working and gave his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren each a special piece made especially for them. Bob’s motto was “A good mechanic can fix anything but a broken heart and I’ll even try that”. Bob will be remembered for his way with kids and his stories. Left to cherish his memory are his wife: Roberta, the love of his life for 51 years; his children: Diane Harms and her husband, Russell, of Hartley, IA, Duane Petersen of Harris, IA and Delores Meerdink and her husband, Kim, of Hawarden, IA; five grandchildren; three great grandchildren; two sisters: Elnora Bates and her husband, Mervin, of Ocheyedan, IA and Joyce Richter and her husband, Merlyn, of Hartley, IA: several nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Leslie Petersen, an infant sister, and a niece, Alesia Nielsen. A Celebration of Life Bobbie L. Petersen Born ~ March 2, 1935 Died ~ June 25, 2009 Age ~ 74 years 3 months 23 days Funeral Service 10:30 a.m. Monday, June 29, 2009 Trinity United Church of Christ Hartley, Iowa Clergy ~ Rev. Jeff Filkins Organist ~ Julie Back Processional ~ “Just As I Am” #207 “The Old Rugged Cross” #195 Recessional ~ “In The Garden” #237 Pallbearers Duane Petersen Craig Harms Russell Harms Kim Meerdink William Rosin Norbert Groff Honorary Pallbearers Fred Schoelerman Orville Rusch Hugh Johnson Donald Johnson Roger Frick Ken Barker Ushers Alvin Petersen Verlus Pippert Interment Pleasant View Cemetery Hartley, Iowa