Folmer "Pete" Petersen
September 2, 1929 — June 26, 2018
Folmer Andrew “Pete” Petersen was born September 2, 1929 in Elk Horn, Iowa the son of Andrew and Anna Andersen Stub Petersen.
Folmer was raised in Elk Horn and farmed in the area. During this time, he met Norma Holland, who was a teacher at Elk Horn High School. The couple were united in marriage on June 24, 1950 at the Fairview Christian Church in rural Pleasantville. They first lived in the Elk Horn and Kimballton area where they farmed. Seven years later they settled on the Petersen Family Farm in the Knoxville area. In addition to farming, Folmer was the first health and zoning officer for Marion County and was the first president of the Marion County Rural Water Association. He also worked at Pella Corp. for 11 years and was the custodian of the First United Methodist Church for many years.
Folmer’s deep faith started as a child; he always enjoyed attending Okoboji Bible Camp as a youth and later as a camp counselor. He was a church leader at First United Methodist of Knoxville, having served as a trustee, board chair and on the memorial committee. He and Norma also enjoyed supporting ISU athletics. Folmer was especially proud of his Danish heritage and enjoyed teaching his children and grandchildren Danish phrases. His greatest joys in life were spending time on the farm and most importantly he cherished his family.
Folmer passed away on Tuesday, June 26, 2018 at the West Ridge Nursing & Rehab Center at the age of 88 years.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Norma and siblings: James, Folmer Adolf, Ivan, Naomi, Gorman and Celius.
Those left to honor Folmer’s memory include his children: Mary Sue Reeves (Charlie) of West Des Moines, Carol Ann Scheve (Robert) of Melcher, Linda Lea O’Dell of Knoxville and James David Petersen (Julie) of Knoxville; 11 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Rosie Petersen of Elk Horn; brother-in-law, Jack (Norma Kay) Holland of Texas and many other family members and friends.
A Funeral Service for Folmer “Pete” Petersen, age 88 of Knoxville, will be held on Friday at 10:30 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church. Burial will follow in the Lincoln Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Thursday at the Bybee & Davis Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church or to Marion County 4-H.
Folmer was raised in Elk Horn and farmed in the area. During this time, he met Norma Holland, who was a teacher at Elk Horn High School. The couple were united in marriage on June 24, 1950 at the Fairview Christian Church in rural Pleasantville. They first lived in the Elk Horn and Kimballton area where they farmed. Seven years later they settled on the Petersen Family Farm in the Knoxville area. In addition to farming, Folmer was the first health and zoning officer for Marion County and was the first president of the Marion County Rural Water Association. He also worked at Pella Corp. for 11 years and was the custodian of the First United Methodist Church for many years.
Folmer’s deep faith started as a child; he always enjoyed attending Okoboji Bible Camp as a youth and later as a camp counselor. He was a church leader at First United Methodist of Knoxville, having served as a trustee, board chair and on the memorial committee. He and Norma also enjoyed supporting ISU athletics. Folmer was especially proud of his Danish heritage and enjoyed teaching his children and grandchildren Danish phrases. His greatest joys in life were spending time on the farm and most importantly he cherished his family.
Folmer passed away on Tuesday, June 26, 2018 at the West Ridge Nursing & Rehab Center at the age of 88 years.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Norma and siblings: James, Folmer Adolf, Ivan, Naomi, Gorman and Celius.
Those left to honor Folmer’s memory include his children: Mary Sue Reeves (Charlie) of West Des Moines, Carol Ann Scheve (Robert) of Melcher, Linda Lea O’Dell of Knoxville and James David Petersen (Julie) of Knoxville; 11 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Rosie Petersen of Elk Horn; brother-in-law, Jack (Norma Kay) Holland of Texas and many other family members and friends.
A Funeral Service for Folmer “Pete” Petersen, age 88 of Knoxville, will be held on Friday at 10:30 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church. Burial will follow in the Lincoln Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Thursday at the Bybee & Davis Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church or to Marion County 4-H.
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