Petersen, Ralph Hans

Ralph Hans Petersen, 81, died Wednesday, May 25, 2011, at his rural Van Horne residence following a sudden illness. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 28, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Van Horne, with Father Brian Dellaert as celebrant. Interment will be held at Holy Cross Cemetery near Keystone. Friends may call at Phillips Funeral Home Chapel in Keystone from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, with a Scripture service beginning at 7 p.m., and after 9 a.m. Saturday at the church.

Ralph was born July 23, 1929, near Newhall, to Hans and Lena (Hessenius) Petersen, and graduated from the Van Horne High School in 1947. On Aug. 21, 1948, he was united in marriage to Patricia Duncalf at Cedar Rapids. Ralph was a lifelong farmer, owned a corn shelling business, and built car washing and power washing machines.

A member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Ralph had served on the Van Horne Telephone Board for 40 years and was board president for 25 years.

He is survived by his wife, Patricia of Van Horne; his son, Steve (Judy) Petersen of Chelsea; his daughter, Sherry (Dave) Gahring of Keystone; five grandchildren, John (Misty) Gahring, Michael Gahring, Dan (Mary) Gahring, Jennifer Gahring and Eric Petersen and fiancee Andrea; his stepgrandchildren, Rob (Kim) Stewart, Ron (Rita) Stewart and Tracy (Lance) Wauters; his great-grandchildren, Brianna and Alaina Gahring and Rachel Petersen; his brother, Lorenz (Bernice) Petersen of Anamosa; and his sisters, Leona (John) Danker of Marengo and Frances Fisher of Van Horne.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his grandson, Chris Petersen; and his brothers, Harold and Willie Petersen.

A memorial fund has been established for the American Lung Association.

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