Funeral Services For Alvin Petersen

​Funeral services for Alvin G. Petersen, age 94 of Tilden, Nebraska, will be held Monday, December 28, 2015, at 10:30 a.m. at First Christian Church in Norfolk, Nebraska, with John Petersen and Joe Petersen officiating.  Burial will be in Hillcrest Memorial Park Cemetery in Norfolk with Military Honors provided by Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7603, American Legion Post 170, and American Legion Riders.

Visitation will be Sunday, December 27, 2015, from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Brockhaus-Harlan Funeral Home in Tilden.

Alvin died Saturday, December 19, 2015, at Miller's Merry Manor in Mooresville, Indiana.

Alvin George Petersen, son of Mathias Joseph and Anna Christina (Hansen) Petersen, was born September 13, 1921 at home on the family farm 2 1/4 miles north of Tilden, Nebraska which was his home his entire life. He attended the Madison County District #4 school through the 8th grade. He received his High School diploma through the Nebraska Department of Veterans Affairs Program in 2000.

Alvin farmed with his father until joining the Navy on August 26, 1942 during WWII. He had his boot training and attended machinist school at the Great Lakes Naval Training Station in Chicago. He was then assigned to the Naval Repair Ship #A.R.5,U.S.S. Vulcan. Alvin served in the Atlantic theater until all landings were completed, then went to the Pacific area until he was sent back to the U.S. for rehabilitation, and spent his remaining time of service in a repair base at San Diego where he was discharged on October 13, 1945. Upon returning home he purchased the home farm and farmed until retiring in 2002.

On December 27, 1944, he married Mabel "Ruth" Escritt, and to this union there were four sons and five daughters born. He was a board member of School District #4 and for 12 1/2 years served on the board of Elkhorn Valley Schools, serving in various capacities. Alvin was also a member of the Madison County Farm Bureau serving in various capacities at both the county and state levels. He served on the Extension Board and other agricultural organizations, and was a member of the American Legion. Alvin was instrumental in starting the Church of Christ in Tilden, which met in his home for 2 years before acquiring a building in town. He was an elder in the church and a Sunday School teacher for many years.

Because of the love of Gospel Music, Alvin and his family did programs for many area functions, sang at nursing homes, New Years Eve Sings, and many churches. Alvin also sang for many funerals.

Ruth died on December 1, 1983, and on August 8, 1987 Alvin married Mary "Jean" Keller of Mooresville, Indiana. They spent summers in Nebraska farming, and winters in Indiana with their families there. They also did a lot of traveling throughout the U.S. and several foreign countries.

Alvin died Saturday, December 19, 2015, at Millers Merry Manor in Mooresville, Indiana at the age of 94 years 3 months and 6 days. 

He is survived by his wife, Jean; step-daughter, Deanna (Howard) Smith of Mooresville, IN; son, George (Susan) Petersen of Mooresville, IN; daughter, Merna (Leland) Vandeveer of Roscoe, IL; daughter, Bonnie (Steven) Williams of Bemidji, MN; daughter, Ellen (Tom) Reedy of Mooresville, IN; son, John (Jo) Petersen of Tilden, NE; daughter, Romona (Tom) Noble of Norfolk, NE; daughter, Ruth Hyndman of Kalama, WA; son, Joe (Sheryl) Petersen of Scottsbluff, NE; many grandchildren; many great-grandchildren; brother, Wayne (Fran) Petersen of Edina, MN; and many other relatives, neighbors, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Ruth; one son Timothy; grandson Benjamin; great-granddaughter Tyra; three sisters: Louise, Marie Schnoor, Leona Hall; and four brothers: Carsten, Walter, Herman, and Elmer.

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