Joel Clarence Petersen

Friday, September 17, 2021

Joel Clarence Petersen

Sept. 13, 1959 - Sept. 12, 2021

FAIRMONT, Neb. — Joel Clarence Petersen passed away on Sept. 12, 2021, at the age of 61, at the Fairmont Nursing Home in Fairmont.

Joel was born on Sept. 13, 1959, in Lincoln, Neb., to Jerry and Anastasia Petersen. Joel was born with Downs Syndrome and during this time, Jerry and Annie were proud to raise him themselves in their loving home. In January of 1960, the family moved to a farm in Cambridge, Neb., where Joel spent his childhood.

Joel had one brother, Tim, who was two years younger. They were very close growing up. Joel attended specialized schooling in Palisade, Neb., and then at the State School for Trainable Children in Cozad, where he made many friends, learned to read and write and developed many life skills that made it possible for him to live on his own as he got older.

While in Cozad, Joel competed in Special Olympics and won many events. He was proud of his medals and loved to display them in his living room for others to see. Joel loved to travel and took several bus trips to fun places around the country, some of his favorites were Disney World and Disneyland.

Joel spent most of his life living in Oxford, Neb., where he worked for Mid Nebraska Individual Services. While in Oxford, he also made many lifelong friends there with town residents and the nice folks that looked after him. He spent many weekends in Cambridge with family and loved going to the Town Talk for dinner and attending the Congregational Church service on Sundays. Joel loved playing pool on the family pool table and also enjoyed watching and attending Husker football games. Family was very important to Joel. He knew everyone’s birthday and loved to celebrate with cake and ice cream. He loved supporting his niece, Frankie Petersen Reinwald, and two nephews, Gus and Zane Petersen, in all of their activities and sports. Joel also loved animals and had many special cats and dogs that he remembered and would talk about, though his favorite was “PeeWee” the cat.

Joel is survived by his parents, Jerry and Anastasia Petersen of Cambridge; his brother, Tim of Cambridge; and his niece and nephews, (Tobin) Frankie Reinwald of Lincoln, Gus (Bailey) Petersen and Zane (Aimee) Petersen of Cambridge.

Joe’s celebration of life will be at a later date to be determined.