Larry Peterson

Larry Peterson, 80, Forest City, passed away Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019 at MercyOne Medical Center, Mason City, surrounded by his loving family. Celebration of Life Services will be held at 2 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 10, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Forest City, with Pastor Zech Anderson officiating. Military Honors will be performed after the service by the Forest City American Legion Post #121. A gathering of family and friends will be held one hour prior to the service at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Larry Peterson Memorial Fund in care of the family.
Larry, the son of Ernest and Nita (Nelson) Peterson, was born June 12, 1939 at his parent’s home in Crystal Lake. He graduated from Buffalo Center High School in 1957 and served his country in the U.S. Army while stationed in Arkansas and Oklahoma, before being deployed to South Korea. Following his honorable discharge in November of 1964, he moved to Forest City where he farmed for five years.
After a short time working at Winnebago Industries, he began working at the Joice Co-op Elevator (which later became Top of Iowa following several mergers) in 1972, where he retired in 1999 after having served as the manager.
Following his retirement from Top of Iowa, he continued to work periodically as an Interim Manager at the Forest City and Elma elevators.
On Aug. 4, 1962, he married Kathy Thompson at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Forest City. They lived in Forest City and the surrounding area for 55 years. He enjoyed spending time with his family, fishing and watching sports and news reports on television.
He was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Forest City.
Larry is survived by his wife of 57 years, Kathy, Forest City; two sons: Terry (Lori) Peterson, Hinsdale, Ill.; and Tim Peterson (Nicole Kunkel), Forest City; grandchildren: Jennifer (Nick) Merideth, Megan (Seth) Miezwa, Lauren (Drew) Nieson, Josh Peterson and Kyle Peterson; nine great-grandchildren, plus another expected in May 2020; brothers: Gary Peterson and Jerry (Julie) Peterson; and many brothers and sisters in-law and nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest and Nita Peterson; sister, Bev Borg; and nephew, Jerry Peterson.