Gilbert Petersen

Sibley, IA 

     Gilbert Petersen age 93 of Sibley, IA died Wednesday, December 2, 2020 at Country View Manor in Sibley, IA.

     A Private family graveside committal service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, December 5, 2020 at the Holman Township Cemetery in Sibley, IA, with Reverend Tim Nappe officiating.

     Public visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Friday, December 4^th at the Jurrens Funeral Home in Sibley, IA. Family will not be present and social distancing guidelines will be followed.

     Gilbert D. Petersen was born in Mitchell, SD on August 21, 1927.  His parents were Donald Petersen and Leone Hanno.  After his parents divorced, Gilbert moved with his mother to the Bigelow, MN area when he was a young teenager.  Gilbert graduated from Bigelow High School.  He met his wife, Shirley Henrichs, on New Year’s Eve 1951 and they were married on June 6, 1952.  They resided on an acreage outside of Sibley for 60 years. Gilbert and Shirley had four children, Larry Petersen, Watertown, SD, Loren Petersen (Vonnie), Sibley, Iowa, Laureen McCarty (Pat), Sheldon, Iowa, and Kathy Ernst (Larry), Summerville, SC.   Gilbert worked until his early 80’s building waterways with his caterpillar and doing custom farm tiling work.  He also farmed and drove truck during his long working life.  Gilbert also helped to build Trinity Lutheran Church in Sibley, Iowa and was a lifelong member. He loved his wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, but he was happiest operating his bulldozer or tiling machine and smoking his cigars.  After he stopped working, he enjoyed riding his golf cart around the acreage and taking naps with his cats.

     Gilbert is survived by his wife Shirley of 68 years, his 4 children, 10 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren, his half-brother, Doug Petersen and his half-sisters Mary Jo McNeal and Susan Stoner.  Sisters in law, Bertha (Wallace) Schultz of Rushmore MN., Ruth Ann Henrichs of Sibley, IA., Linda (Clifford) Jansma of Sheldon, IA., Rhonda Henrichs of Sibley, IA., and brother in law Wendell (Joyce) Henrichs of Florida.

     He was preceded in death by his parents, Donald Petersen and Leone Gray; parents-in-law Willie and Ruth Henrichs; stepfather Edward Grey; daughter-in-law Pam Petersen, brothers-in-law, Gerald Henrichs and George Henrichs.