Paul Earl Peterson (Mansfield)'s Obituary
Paul E. Peterson, son of Carl E. and Emma M. Couper Peterson, was born May 2, 1932 in Grinnell, Iowa and departed this life on February 14, 2015 in Apache Junction Health Center in Apache Junction, Arizona at the age of eighty- two years, nine months, and twelve days.
Paul was united in marriage to Betty Terpstra on May 6, 1956.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Betty; two brothers, Bud and Harry; four sisters, Mabel, Virginia, Wilma Mae and Alberta Louise.
Paul is survived a step-daughter, Charlotte Thompson of Apache Junction, Arizona; a granddaughter, Kim Davis; two great-grandchildren, Elizabeth Davis and Jakob Davis; two brothers, Bill Peterson and wife, Carol of Mansfield, Missouri and Robert Peterson of Clinton, Iowa; sister, Marilyn Raney and husband, Earnest of Norwood, Missouri; several nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends.
Paul was raised in Mansfield, Missouri and attended Mansfield Schools. He then worked at ranching in Kansas and Colorado before entering the Army, where he served his country faithfully during the Korean War. After returning home after the war, Paul went to work for Maytag Corporation in Newton, Iowa where he worked for 30 years. He served on the Maytag Labor Management Council where he served as a line steward and department steward for local union 997 and was a working foreman in the porcelain department.
He was a member of the American Legion Post 111 in Newton, Iowa and the Newton Masonic Lodge #59. In his spare time he enjoyed fishing, history and rock collecting. He also spent many hours exploring the desert floor. He liked to talk about the two movies that were filmed in Arizona that he was in, serving as an “extra”.
Paul was a kind man who will be fondly remembered by his family and friends.
“Remember friends as you pass by, as you are now so once was I. As I am now soon you must be, prepare for death and follow me.”
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