Elmer Fred Petersen

Elmer Fred Petersen, one of four sons of Mr. and Mrs. Fred D. & Emma (Pruess) Petersen, was born July 8, 1916 on a farm two miles south of Bennington, which then had the address of “Benson Station”. He then moved just west of town which was then the Jipp farm. Elmer started in the Bennington School System, walking to school, (Uphill Both ways) from the farm. His folks moved into town in 1924. He graduated from Bennington High School in 1934, one of seven graduates. Elmer then started working for C.W. Glant and Sons as a carpenter. It being the depression, he worked for 20 cents an hour in the shop, making window frames. At least, he had a job for which he was grateful and learned a trade. On weekends and slack times Elmer worked for one dollar a day. He could tell you about hard times. Elmer also enjoyed playing baseball with his brothers on various town teams, and assisted the Bennington Legion with their Legion Ball Programs in the 1950’s. In February, 1938, Elmer married Frieda Kay, daughter of William and Elsie (Harder) Kay. Frieda had a brother, William Kay Jr. and two sisters, Helen Heldt and Maxine Lauritsen. Frieda’s home was on the Kay farm a half mile north of the Douglas County line in Washington County. She attended Wranch School, District 25 from which she graduated. It had 10 grades and was two miles from home. Elmer was drafted into the Service as a Marine in World War II and spent his time in the Pacific Theater. He went to Eniwetok in the Marshall Islands and finished his tour of duty on Okinawa. On his return home in the spring of 1946, Elmer started his own business as a carpenter, building homes, farm and commercial buildings in Bennington and rural areas. In the late 1950’s he had the good fortune to be selected as the contractor to build homes and apartments in the Indian Hills area, located south of Dodge and east of 90th Street in Omaha. Frieda and Elmer resided in Bennington until 1970 when they built a home just north of town on part of the Dressler farm where he spent his time doing small jobs, mowing lawns and gardening, also making things for their five grandchildren. Elmer's son Gary has three boys and his daughter Marjorie has one son and a daughter. Frieda always loved her flowers and garden, and had plenty of room on their 2 acres. Frieda preceded Elmer in death on May 17, 2007. Elmer passed away on August 14, 2008 at Brookestone Meadows in Elkhorn, Nebraska at the age of 92 years, 1 month and 6 days. He is survived by his son Gary Petersen and daughter Marge Eells Petersen; 5 grandchildren: Michelle and husband Bob Brennan, Mike Eells, Doug Petersen, Matthew and wife Sayaka Petersen, and David Petersen; great grandson Trintin Eells, and sisters-in-law: Lois Petersen, Evelyn Petersen, Dorothy Petersen, and Helen Heldt.

Elmer Fred Petersen

July 8, 1916 - August 14, 2008