Eugene Allen Petersen, 68, of Early, Iowa, passed away on Saturday, April 12, 2008, at Loring Hospital in Sac City.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, April 16th at Faith Lutheran Church in Early with Rev. Charles Bettin officiating. Visitation is from 5:00-8:00 p.m., Tuesday, April 15th at the Farber & Otteman Funeral Home in Sac City.

Gene was born on February 21, 1940, at St. Anthony Hospital in Carroll, Iowa, the son of Hugo and Esther (Kroeger) Petersen. He was baptized at Zion Lutheran Church in Arcadia on April 7, 1940, and confirmed March 5, 1961 at St. Paul’s Lutheran in Sac City. He attended the Manning and Westside schools.

On January 17, 1959, Gene was united in marriage to Dorothy Kruger in Jefferson, Iowa. Three children were born to this union: Carla, Bradley, and Kurt. He was a farm manager for Ned Stanzel for many years, semi retiring in 1995.

Gene enjoyed woodworking, making furniture for his family, cooking, playing cards at the legion, and camping. He was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend to many. He especially loved Christmas when all the family would get together and celebrate the holiday. He was proud of his children and enjoyed their activities at school and as they grew older and had families of their own treasured the time spent with each of them. Playing with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren was the highlight of his life.

Gene was a member of Faith Lutheran Church in Early, served eight years on the city council and helped get the Crossroads Restaurant up and running.

Survivors include his loving wife, Dorothy; children: Carla Rubner and husband Mike of Shawnee, KS, Bradley Petersen and wife Peg of Early, and Kurt Petersen and wife Shelly of Des Moines; three grandchildren: Natalie (Nathan) Flynn of Carnarvon, Matt (Shelly) Petersen of Early, and Nathan Petersen of Early; four great-grandchildren: Nick and Naomi Flynn and Kayden and Hunter Petersen. Other survivors include his brothers: Roger (Wilma) Petersen of Lake View, Alton (Gladys) Petersen of Cedar Falls, Gary (Marilyn) Petersen of Lexington Park, MD, Steve (Linda) Petersen of Carroll, and Dale (Ann) Petersen of Sergeant Bluff, IA; many extended family members and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Hugo and Esther Petersen; sister Ruth Larson; and mother-in-law and father-in-law Louise and Walter Kruger.