Smoke Ring Musician Dies From Heart Attack

An area man has died after suffering a heart attack while performing at Columbus Days on Saturday night.

According to the Columbus Fire Department, rescue officials responded to the Columbus Days stage on 14th St. around 9:30 p.m. after “Smoke Ring” band member Don Petersen collapsed. Rescue personnel then transported him to Columbus Community Hospital.

On Sunday bandmate Jim Casey indicated that 65-year-old Petersen passed away after suffering a “massive heart attack.”
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“We are in mourning at the passing of our friend and Smoke Ring bandmate,” Casey says in a Facebook post from Sunday morning. “Don was doing what he loved…playing music, under the stars, with his very best friends. Life without Don Petersen will be harder. Please say prayers for his family. Don is out in the stars!”
Smoke Ring is a Nebraska Music Hall of Fame band that was formed in Norfolk in 1965.