Obituary of Harry E. Peterson

Type Obit Here A Mass of Christian Burial for Harry will be 11:00 a.m., Thursday, September 1, 2011, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Newton, Father William Reynolds and Deacon Dan Goetz officiating. A visitation with the family will be held 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 31, at Pence ~ Reese Funeral Home in Newton. With a Vigil and Prayer services at 7 p.m.. Memorials are being designated in Harry's name and to Skiff Hospice. Burial will be in the Palo Alto Cemetery. Harry Eugene Peterson, 81, the son of Carl and Emma (Couper) Peterson, was born December 12, 1929, in Grinnell. He graduated from high school, and served his country with the US Air force, at the end of World War II and with the Berlin Airlift. On June 6, 1953, Harry was united in marriage with Joanna Pacha. He was employed by the Maytag Company in Newton, retiring in 1983 at Plant II in the Assembly Department. He devoted his life to his family, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Newton V.F.W. #1655, American Legion Post #111, UAW Retirees #997 and Jasper County Senior Citizens. He enjoyed horses, building wagons, tractors, gardening, fishing, camping, his coffee groups, playing cards and going to Texas. Harry was preceded in death by his parents; brother Carl; four sisters: Wilma Mae, Mable, Virginia and Alberta; and a sister-in-law Betty Peterson. Those left to honor Harry's memory include his wife Joanna; sons: Gary (Violet) Peterson of Newton and David (Sue) Peterson of Newton; daughters: Linda (Ed) Ettelson of Newton and Joyce (Chuck) Peck of Kellogg; six grandchildren and six step-grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; sister Marylin (Earnie) Raney of Norwood, MO; brothers: Paul Peterson of Apache Junction, AZ, Bill (Carol) Peterson of Mansfield, MO and Bob (Gina) Peterson of Clinton, IA; and his many nephews, nieces and friends.