Petersen, Elmer C.

Elmer C. Petersen, 87, of Baldwin, died Sunday, Jan. 23, 2011, at Jackson County Regional Health Center, Maquoketa. A celebration of his life service will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 27, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lost Nation. Friends may call from 3 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Lahey Funeral Home, Lost Nation. Burial will be in the Smithtown Cemetery, outside of Baldwin.

Elmer was born May 30, 1923, in Toronto, Iowa, to Jacob and Frieda (Ketelsen) Petersen. He attended country school in Lost Nation and Toronto until the eighth grade, after which time he stayed home to work on the farm. He married Evelyn Smith on Oct. 6, 1942 in Lost Nation. They lived outside of Lost Nation until 1966, when they moved to the Eden Valley/Baldwin area. Elmer and Evelyn were blessed with five children, 22 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. They farmed together in Eden Valley until 2003, when their grandson took over the family farm. Elmer enjoyed attending church, telling jokes, meeting new people and watching his grandkids play sports. He also enjoyed being outdoors, reading, dancing and spending quality time with his wife.

Those left to cherish his memories include his wife, Evelyn; daughters, Gloria (John) Aplin of Indianapolis, Ind., Durene (David) Tabor of Monticello, and April (Luke) Lubben of DeWitt; sons, Merle (Diane) Petersen of Oxford Junction, and Bruce (Lori) Petersen of Lost Nation; 22 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and nieces and nephews.

Elmer was preceded in death by two brothers, two sisters and his parents.

Memorials may be given to Bethlehem Lutheran Church, EWALU or Camp Courageous.

Online condolences may be left for the family at