Larry "Leroy" Peterson

Leroy Peterson of Grand Island, NE, passed away on Thursday, January 9, 2025, at Nebraska Medicine Hospital in Omaha, NE. Memorial services will be held on Thursday, January 16, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. at Peace Lutheran Church in Grand Island, NE. The Reverend Terry Boshart will officiate. Visitation will be an hour prior to the service. Burial will take place at a later date with family. Memorials are suggested to Beacon of Hope Baptist Church. Apfel Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements, online condolences may be left at www.apfelfuneralhome.com. 

Leroy was born on July 20, 1941, in Weissert, NE, to Andrew Willard and Della Mae (Pirnie) Peterson. He grew up in the Weissert area and graduated from Comstock High School in Comstock, NE, in 1960. After high school, he served in the U.S. Army for two years. He was united in marriage to Cleo June (Anderson) on May 20, 1962. The couple lived in Grand Island, NE, where they attended the Grand Island School of Business. After school, they moved to Trumbull, NE, where he farmed with Ray Phelps for many years. After farming, he and Cleo opened and operated the Bearcat Den Café in Trumbull for many years. He eventually went to work for Thermo King in Hastings, NE, where he retired and began enjoying his grandchildren's activities and hobbies. Leroy left a legacy of faith, family, golf, and woodworking, which he shared with his children and grandchildren. He could always be found involved in one of these activities.

Survivors include his son, Randy (Laurie) Peterson, Grand Island, NE; daughter, Susan (Brian) Burge, Lakeland, FL; daughter-in-law, Audrey Peterson, Hastings, NE; grandchildren: Tyler (Breanna) Peterson, Brice Peterson, Jenifer (Travis) Hoagland, Dylan Peterson, Cody DeFeo, Lindsey (Jonathan) Englund, Ethan (Victoria) Peterson, Rebecca Peterson, Stephanie (David) Stewart; 13 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; brothers: Robert Peterson, Lincoln, NE, Ron (Cristy) Peterson, Spokane, WA, Marvin (Kay) Peterson, Eureka Springs, AR; sister, Judy Conder, Olathe, CO; sisters-in-law: Mary Stefka, Comstock, NE, Betty Thompson, Grand Island, NE, Roseanne Anderson; brother-in-law, Theo Anderson, Grand Island, NE; and numerous nieces and nephews. 

Leroy is preceded in death by his parents, Andrew Willard Peterson and Della Mae Peterson; wife, Cleo June (Anderson) Peterson; son, Andrew Wesley Peterson; and grandchildren: Rachel Peterson, Phillip Peterson, and Tori Ann Burge.