Willard Peterson, 98

May 31, 1918 —

March 2, 2017

 

Iowa Falls -  Willard Jay Peterson, age 98, of Iowa Falls, Iowa passed away Thursday, March 2, 2017 at Scenic Manor Care Center in Iowa Falls. 

Memorial services will be Saturday, March 11 at 1 p.m. at First Lutheran Church in Cresco, Iowa. Family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow at the New Oregon Cemetery south of Cresco. Lindstrom Funeral Home of Cresco is in charge of arrangements. 

Willard was born May 31, 1918 in Jay Township, Martin County, Minn. to Victor and Huldah (Krantz) Peterson. His family lived near Dunnell and Morris, Minn. Later they moved to the Elma area and Cresco. He attended school in Morris, Elma and later Cresco. He graduated from Cresco High School in 1938. He and his brother, LaVerne, wired farms in preparation for rural electrification. 

On Nov. 2, 1941, Willard was united in marriage to Zelma Rucker. To this union of 71 years, three children were born. They farmed north of Cresco until 1977, when they moved into town.  Willard was the Howard County ASCS Executive Director from 1966 to 1981. In 2008 they moved to Iowa Falls. 

Willard became an amateur radio operator (K0MYU) in 1957 under the guidance of Bud Weatherford and continued to pursue it until his passing. He especially loved to raise tomatoes and strawberries. He used his woodworking skills to make furniture for family members. Zelma and Willard wintered in Florida, Texas, Arizona and Hawaii. He also enjoyed fishing, square dancing and camping with family.

He was a member of Cresco Kiwanis, Radio Club and First Lutheran Church. He was currently a member of Bethany Lutheran in Iowa Falls. 

Willard is survived by his 

 

three children, Gayle (Eldon) Rahmiller of Iowa Falls, Karen (Keith) Krueger of Maquoketa, Iowa and Steven (Gui Rong) of Ewa Beach, Hawaii; grandchildren, Ryan (Amanda) Rahmiller of Charles City, Iowa, Sean (Lori) Peterson of Mesa, Ariz., Lindsay Krueger of Durham, N.C., Brad (Tammy) Rahmiller of Marshalltown, Iowa, Erin Peterson of Houston, Texas, Tyler (Ariana)                                                             Krueger of Grimes, Iowa and Jiao Chen of Ewa Beach; and great-grandchildren, Henry Rahmiller and Lydia Krueger. He is also survived by a brother-in-law, Al Rucker of Sheridan, Ill. and a sister-in-law, LuAnne Peterson of Harmony, Minn., as well as 15 nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Zelma; brothers, LaVerne and Lloyd; and a sister, Mae Peterson.

Condolences and memorials can be sent in care of Lindstrom Funeral Home in Cresco.