Petersen, Thomas J.

Thomas J. Petersen, 67, died Feb. 22, 2013, at the Hospice House of Mercy in Hiawatha. Celebration of Life will be 3 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 28, at the Avacentre at Brosh Chapel in Cedar Rapids, located at 2121 Bowling St. SW, with military rites at 6:30 p.m.

Thomas was born July 24, 1945, in Clinton, Iowa, the son of Donald and Bette (Byrnes) Petersen. Thom served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1964-1968. He married Ruthie Hickerson on Nov. 6, 2010. Thom was an avid Bears and Hawkeye fan and had a passion for life.

Thomas is survived by his wife, Ruthie Petersen; a daughter, Heidi Fischer; stepson, Tommy (Karel) Horn; stepdaughter, Kristi (Michael) Haynes; several grandchildren; a great-grandson; his dad, Louis Brown; brothers, Bill Brown and Joe (Robin) Brown; and several nieces and nephews.

Thomas was preceded in death by his parents.

Memorials may be directed to the family.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.broshchapel.com

Published Feb. 25, 2013 in The Gazette