Carl Petersen Jr.

Carl Petersen Jr., age 83, of Storm Lake, Iowa, died December 21, 2010 at the Buena Vista Regional Medical Center in Storm Lake. Carl Petersen Jr. was born February 17, 1927 in Audubon, Iowa, the son of Carl Sr. and Olivia (Christiansen) Petersen. Carl attended school in Manning, Iowa where he graduated from Manning High School in 1944. Later that year, Carl enlisted in the United States Navy. He completed basic training at the Great Lakes Training Center before being placed on the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Bunker Hill. He served his country until he was honorably discharged on August 2, 1946. Carl then came to Storm Lake under the GI Bill to work at Dlugosch Motors. He worked there until its closing, at which point he and two other employees began work for Jeck Motors in Spirit Lake, Iowa. However, when Fitzpatrick Auto Center opened in 1959, Carl, and two fellow employees, returned to Storm Lake to work. Carl was employed as a mechanic at Fitzpatrick Auto Center until his retirement in 1989. Carl met his wife, Mary (Lessmeier) Petersen, through mutual friends. After a year of dating, the two were united in marriage on September 28, 1952 at United Methodist Church in Storm Lake. Carl and Mary were married faithfully and lovingly for 58 years. Together, they were blessed with two sons, Jerry and Terry. Carl was a kind and patient man, traits that he passed on to his sons. He was very proud of his two sons. Carl was a member of the Storm Lake AMVETS, including the Honor Guard. Carl also managed both of his sonsâ€™ Little League baseball teams and served on the Little League Board. Carl and Mary never missed a sporting event of either of their two boys. He was a volunteer for the Storm Lake Fire Department beginning in 1954, and was the Assistant Chief from 1965 until 1980. He enjoyed being a volunteer for the Fire Department. Carl loved fishing, bowling and NASCAR racing. He also loved his family and the time he spent with them. Those left to cherish his memory include his wife, Mary Petersen of Storm Lake, Iowa; son, Jerry (Sondra) Petersen of Cedar Falls, Iowa; granddaughter, Kellie Petersen of Cedar Falls, Iowa; sister, Elaine (Harold) Renke of Manning, Iowa and extended family and friends. Carl was preceded in death by his parents; son, Terry; brother, Don; father-in-law, Fred Lessmeier; mother-in-law, Ruth Lessmeier; brother-in-law, Frank Lessmeier; brother-in-law, Dr. Carl Reng; sister-in-law, Donna Reng and sister-in-law, Francis Lessmeier.

Carl Petersen Jr.

February 17, 1927 - December 21, 2010