Donald J. Petersen

Interment: East Lawn Cemetery ~ Algona, Iowa Donald J. Petersen was born August 4, 1932, on the farm between Algona and Burt to Orie and Dorothy (Bonnett) Petersen. He attended country school through the 6th grade, 7th and 8th grade in Burt and High School in Livermore. In 1950, Don started working at the Algona Produce and farmed for the John Dreesman family. On June 17, 1951, he married Joyce Knudsen in Algona. Don served his country during the Korean Conflict spending most of his time in Germany. He was discharged in 1955 and returned to farming with the Dreesman family. Don joined the Algona Fire Department in August, 1957, and spent 42 years and 5 months as a fireman. He held the position of secretary for four years, assistant fire chief for 13 years and Fire Chief for 21 years. Don loved working with children through the Fire Prevention Program. Don also played an important role in the implementation of the new fire station and upgrading the fire trucks. He retired from farming and the fire department on January 1, 2000. Don and Joyce attended the First Baptist Church in Algona. They had horses when first married and belonged to the Saddle Club. D...[more]

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loved playing softball and was still playing at 70 years of age. He bowled for years, hunted with his children and loved to play golf. Don and Joyce enjoyed motorcycle riding for many years and rode through every state in the continental United States and four Canadian Provinces. One of his favorite pastimes was watching his children and grandchildren in their school activities. Don died at his home in Algona on Monday morning, September 8, 2008, at the age of 76. Survivors include his wife Joyce of Algona; son Rick and wife Teresa of Urbandale, Iowa; son Dave and wife Sally of Algona; son Steve and wife Cindy of Algona; daughter Cindy and husband Al Gaedke of Algona and son Dan of Ankeny. Also surviving are 12 grandchildren, two great grandchildren, brother Darreld of Meservey, Iowa; brother Bud and wife Irene of Algona; sister Rose and husband Gary Fokken of West Bend, Iowa, sister Betty Johnson and husband Bill of Algona, brother Jerry and wife Kay of Waukee, Iowa; brother Bobbie and wife Joyce of Algona and sister Sharon and husband Ralph Fagon of Chelsea, Oklahoma. Don was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Harold and sister Sandy.