James Petersen (1919 - 2015)

Born 29 Apr 1919 in Albert Lea, Minnesota, United States

Died 6 Feb 2015 at age 95 in Albert Lea, Minnesota, United States

Biography

Obituary
A memorial service for James "Neal" Petersen will be held at 2:00 PM on Tuesday, February 10, 2015 at Bonnerup Funeral Service. The Reverend Clayton Balsley will officiate. Visitation will be on Tuesday from 12:00 PM until the time of the service. A private family burial will be held at a later date.

Neal passed away surrounded by family on February 6, 2015 at the Good Samaritan Center, Albert Lea. He was 95 years old.

James "Neal" Petersen was born on April 29, 1919 to Nels and Mabel (Christensen) in Albert Lea, MN. Neal attended schools at Albert Lea until he enlisted in the United States Military in 1941. After his honorable discharge, Neal returned to Albert Lea. On May 15, 1946 he was united in marriage to Hazel (Whitmore) at Calvary Baptist Church in Albert Lea.

Neal was employed as a letter carrier for the Post Office. He carried mail for over 30 years. He also spent time working at Star Granite after retiring from the post office. He was a member of First Baptist Church, where he served as an usher, deacon, and trustee at various times. He was a member of the ELKS club and VFW. He was a member of the Albert Lea Hockey Association and coached pee-wee baseball and hockey in his younger years. In his free time, he enjoyed and took pride in community theater. He would often build sets for various plays, and work backstage during the events. He also enjoyed motorcycle trips, golfing, fishing up North, and was a sports fan.

He is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Hazel; son, Dennis; grandchildren, Derek and Caitlin Petersen; a sister, Dorothy Gillespie; brothers in-law, James Minear and Marvin Wangen.

Surviving members of his family include his children, Linda (James) Currier and Douglas (Terri) Petersen; a daughter in-law, Joan McConnell; grandchildren, Maridith (Jeff) Jones, Nick (Melissa)Petersen, Ryan (Sherry) Petersen, Chelsea (Tony) McKillip, Lacey (Wade) Harrington, McCall (Will) Lutmer, Huston (Kim) Heitkamp, and Hailee (Kale) Wiertzema; great-grandchildren, Ryland, Cohen, Zoe, Skyler, Noah, Bentley, Beckham, Justin, Karly, Christian and Gabriella; siblings, Marcella Minear, Alton (Maryann) Petersen, Harriet Wangen, and Harris Petersen; as well as many other loving relatives and friends. - See more at: http://www.bonnerupfuneralservice.com/obituary?id=1479201#sthash.yj6zCnpi.dpuf

Nels and Mabel (Christensen)--parents

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preceded in death by his parents; wife, Hazel; son, Dennis; grandchildren, Derek and Caitlin Petersen; a sister, Dorothy Gillespie; brothers in-law, James Minear and Marvin Wangen.

Sources

• http://www.bonnerupfuneralservice.com/obituary?id=1479201