PETERSEN, Ernest (Ernie)

The Daily Courier, Prescott, Arizona Saturday, January 23, 2010 Ernest (Ernie) Petersen, 90, of Prescott, Ariz., passed away at Prescott Valley Samaritan in on Friday, Jan. 18, 2010. Ernie was born June 14, 1919, in St. Louis, Mo., to Ernest and Bertha (Stille) Petersen. He was born and raised on his parents' farm along with his three sisters, Eleanor Jones (deceased), Ruth Walker (deceased), and Corinne Tubbesing. Ernie attended Normandy High School in St. Louis, graduating in 1938. In high school, Ernie excelled as a wrestler and was nicknamed "Big Pete" by his teammates. After graduating from high school, he attended Rankin Technical School while also working on the family farm and earning money as a caddy at the Normandy Golf Club. In 1942 he married his high school sweetheart, Laverne Ottomeyer. A year after his marriage, Ernie enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps to serve in WWII, which required putting his career and marriage on hold until after his return from the war. While in the Marines, Ernie served as an artillery gunner with the 5th Marine Division. Ernie participated in the invasion and capture of the island of Iwo Jima, which experienced some of the most brutal fighting in the Pacific Theater. After Japan's surrender, Ernie was sent to Japan as part of the U.S. occupation forces. Ernie was extremely proud of his service with the USMC and throughout his life attended numerous Marine Corps reunions. In 1946, after returning from the war, Ernie went to work for the American Can Company, where he remained employed for the next 31 years. During his employment with ACC, Ernie was transferred to several different parts of the country, including St. Louis, Chicago and Georgia. After his retirement in 1977, he and Laverne moved to Prescott, Ariz., where they lived together until Laverne's death in 1988. Ernie believed in doing things for himself and was a talented carpenter and woodworker. He built three of his own houses, including his home in Prescott. He would build and finish the basements first so that he and Laverne could live on the building site while he worked on completing the upstairs. After Laverne's death, Ernie remained in Prescott so that he could continue to pursue his favorite activities. He loved nature and the outdoors and was an avid deer hunter, hiker and backpacker, and he especially enjoyed searching for petroglyphs and ancient Indian ruins. Ernie was a lifetime member of the Prescott Outings Club, and was admired and respected for his vast knowledge of the local area and his willingness to plan and lead many of the club's hikes. Ernie placed a high value on exercise and remained fit and active for all but the last few years of his life. One of his most legendary feats was when he celebrated his 70th birthday by hiking across the Grand Canyon, rim to rim, in two days. In addition to hiking, Ernie also loved to square dance. This proved to be a fortunate combination of interests for both Ernie and another avid hiker and square dancer, for it was through the activities of the Prescott Outings Club and weekly square dances that he met and fell in love with Ruth Ann Steffes. Ruth Ann and Ernie were married in 1998, after which they hiked and square danced all over the United States, including Alaska and Hawaii. Ernie leaves his loving wife and companion of 12 years, Ruth Ann Steffes Petersen; his sister Corinne Tubbesing of St. Louis, Mo.; brother-in-law Don Ottomeyer of Chandler, Ariz.; and nieces and nephews John Walker of Mission, Kan., Nelson Walker of Canon City, Colo., Richard Tubbesing of Denver, Colo., Patricia Bowman of St. Louis, Mo., James Jones of St. Louis, Mo., and Kathy Jones of Denver, Colo. Ernie will be remembered for his kind and loving nature, and for his unsurpassed energy and zest for living. He was indeed one of the last of the "Greatest Generation" and will be deeply missed. A memorial service to honor and celebrate Ernie's life will be 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 29, 2010, at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 7763 Long Look Drive, Prescott Valley, Ariz. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made in Ernie's name to Prescott Valley Samaritan, 3380 Windsong Drive, Prescott Valley, AZ 86314. Please direct donations to either the Activities Department or Special Care Unit. Arizona Wakelin Bradshaw Chapel assisted the family with arrangements. Information provided by survivors.