Lloyd Chris Petersen, the son of Alfred and Elnora (Johnson) Petersen was born May 26, 1934, in Ringsted, Iowa. Lloyd departed this life on Sunday, February 9, 2025 at his home, at the age of 90. A funeral mass for Lloyd was held on Friday, February 14, 2025 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Graettinger with Father Paul Kelly celebrating. Burial took place at St. Jacob’s Catholic Cemetery in Graettinger. Family prefers that memorials be designated towards Graettinger Terril Community Foundation.
He received his education in the Ringsted schools graduating from Ringsted High School in 1952. On January 10, 1953, Lloyd was united in marriage to Joleen Thiel in Graettinger, Iowa. Following their marriage, the couple began raising their family and initially made their home in Forest City and Sibley, Iowa where Lloyd worked as a manager at the local lumber yards. In 1956, they moved to Graettinger, where he owned and operated the West End Tavern. In 1959, he purchased what would become Petersen Insurance and in 1962, he bought the insurance office in Ringsted.
Lloyd was passionate about giving back to the community. He served on the original boards that built the community pool and Hillcrest country club and golf course. He was President of many boards and councils including the Palo Alto County Gaming Development Commission and Graettinger Economic Development Council and serving on the Light Plant board for over 50 years. He was also chair of the Immaculate Conception church finance committee. He was honored to be the Labor Day parade Grand Marshall and he so enjoyed selling Labor Day tickets as that gave him the opportunity to talk with friends and strangers.
Many will recall seeing Lloyd on the golf course on any given afternoon, in all seasons. His swing changed a bit over the years, but he still managed to win the annual Petersen Golf Tournament two years ago. His golf highlights include scoring a double eagle while golfing with Father Beacom and a bucket list golf trip to Scotland where he met Gary Player. You could be sure to see Lloyd on the sideline of every Graettinger football game and in the stands of basketball games and wrestling matches. The trip to Des Moines for the state wrestling tournament was always a highlight of his year. Lloyd never missed an opportunity to dance. He spoke fondly of traveling to the various ballrooms across northern Iowa. Though his favorite partner was always Joleen, every daughter, daughter-in-law, granddaughter, and many bystanders were swept onto the dance floor when the music moved him. He always said he did not like to travel but he would come back from his trips talking about how much fun he had, whether it was simply a camping trip in his motor home to local lakes, Doc’s Roundup, football tailgates or his trips to several international destinations. Lloyd liked nothing more than spending time with his children, preferably with a cocktail in hand while grilling steaks or chops for 30. He headlined many family vacations to National Parks, beaches, and NCAA basketball tournament games but gathering the ever-growing Petersen Clan in Graettinger was his greatest joy.
Left to cherish Lloyd’s memory are his seven children: Mary (Doug) Herke of Emmetsburg, Iowa; Barbara (Tom) Graber of Coppell, Texas; Lloyd Chris (Michele ) Petersen, Jr. of McLean, Virginia; David (Carol) Petersen of Vienna, Virginia; Michael (Dina) Petersen of Richmond, Virginia; Jonathan Petersen of Graettinger; Anastasia (Eric) Kvam of Wildwood, Missouri; sister Lois Graham; sister-in-law, Pat Thiel; 23 grandchildren, and 16 great-grandchildren.
He has been preceded in death by his wife Joleen; parents; brother Dale; mother-in-law and father-in-law Anastasia and Henry Thiel. Henry Olson Funeral Home of Graettinger assisted the family with arrangements, online condolences may be left for the family at www.henryolsonfuneral.com.
