James M. Petersen

Kenesaw resident, James (Jim) M. Petersen, 82, passed away Sunday, June 16, 2013 at the Kenesaw Haven Home. Services will be Thursday, June 20, 2013 at 11 am at the St. Pauls Lutheran Church in Kenesaw, NE with Rev. Paul Duffy officiating. Burial will be in the Kenesaw Cemetery, Kenesaw, NE with military rites by the Hastings Military Service. Visitation will be Tuesday, June 18, 2013 from 5 pm to 8 pm and Wednesday, June 19, 2013 from 9 am to 8 pm with the family present from 6 pm to 8 pm with prayer service at 7 pm at the Jackson-Wilson Funeral Home and one hour prior to service time at the church. Condolences may be sent to the family from www.brandwilson.com. Memorials may be given to St. Pauls Lutheran Church, Kenesaw, NE, Kenesaw High School Foundation the Petersen & Mehuron Scholarship Fund. Jim was born December 29, 1930 to Morton L. and Henrietta (Christensen) Petersen in Kenesaw, NE. He attended Shiloh grade school and graduated from the Kenesaw High School in 1948. He married Bernice Finnigsmier on June 3, 1951. He served in the United States Army from January 3, 1952 to December 7, 1953 during the Korean Conflict, stationed in Munich, Germany. He farmed southwest of Kenesaw for over 40 years, retiring in 1993. He was a member of the St. Pauls Lutheran Church in Kenesaw, NE. He was a 60 year member of the Kenesaw American Legion serving as post commander and finance officer. He was a member of the 40 & 8 for 30 years and served as the chef-de gar in 1982, and was a member of the Veterans Service Board for 30 years. He is survived by his wife Bernice of Kenesaw, daughter-in-law, Julie (Mike) Bowling, son-in-law, Pat Mehuron, granddaughter, Brette Petersen of Lincoln, NE, Sister, Matt Bittfield of Hastings, NE, sister-in-law, Joyce Clark of Kenesaw, NE and brother-in-law, Roger Finnigsmier of St. Paul, NE and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by, his parents and parent-in-laws, son, John Petersen and daughter, Mary Petersen Mehuron, infant brother, Wayne Petersen, sister Arvera Derauf and husband Robert and brother-in-law, Vern Bittfield.