Kenneth F. Peterson

Kenneth F. Petersen, 82, died Sunday (Jan. 5, 2003) at Great Plains Regional Medical Center in North Platte.

He was born June 3, 1920, in McCook, to Edward and Christina Jensen Peterson Sr. He grew up in McCook and after graduation, joined the U.S. Army. He was stationed in Alaska.

He married Bonnie Jean Esteb. They were divorced after five years, but remarried again 40 years later. He and his brother owned and managed the Ideal Laundry and Dry Cleaners in McCook for many years. After his retirement, he drove the Imperial, Hayes Center paper route for the McCook Daily Gazette.

He was a member of the United Methodist Church for many years. He became a member of the McCook First Baptist Church in 1996. He was a lifetime member of the Disabled American Veterans, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, the American Legion of Nebraska, Elks Lodge No. 1434, a 50-year member of the Masonic Lodge No. 135 of McCook and a member of Knights Templar 1565 of Nebraska.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Bonnie Jean; son, Kip; daughter, Christy; and one brother, Edward. Survivors include his stepchildren, Valli Wilson Sugden and husband of Lake Oswego, Ore., Ted Wilson and wife of Martinsburg, W.Va., and David Wilson of Springfield, Ore.; sister-in-law, Eva Petersen of Hershey; brother-in-law, Bob (Jenette) Esteb of Sugerland, Texas; 12 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be Friday, 1 p.m., at the First Baptist Church in McCook with the Rev. Stan Hendershot officiating. Burial with military honors will be in Fort McPherson Cemetery near Maxwell.

Visitation is Wednesday from 5-9 p.m., Thursday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Carpenter Memorial Chapel in North Platte, and Friday from 10 a.m. until service time at the church.

Memorials are suggested to the First Baptist Church of McCook and the Billy Graham Association.

Carpenter Memorial Chapel of North Platte is in charge of arrangements.