Larry Peterson

Larry A. Peterson, 74, of Gothenburg, Nebraska, ended his life’s journey on September 10, 2015 at the Gothenburg Memorial Hospital in Gothenburg, NE.

He was born January 15, 1941 on the family farm in Lincoln County, northwest of Gothenburg, NE.  He was the son of Alton and Anna (Stevens) Peterson.

Larry attended the North Vroman District 9 School and graduated from Gothenburg High with the class of 1958.  Larry married Carolyn France on August 18, 1963 at the Gothenburg United Methodist Church in Gothenburg, NE.  To this union four children were born - Stephanie, Crystal, Page and Paul.

Larry was a life-long farmer and rancher.  He was proud to carry on the love of the land that was instilled in him from his grandfather and father.  In 1998 the Peterson Family received the AKSARBEN Nebraska Pioneer Farm Family Award for 100 years of family ownership.  He enjoyed seeing the farming legacy carried on to the next generations.

Because of this desire to instill a love of agriculture in youth, he helped organize the Tail Twisters 4-H Club in 1977. Throughout his life he continued to be a strong supporter of the 4-H and FFA programs.

Due to his farming business and background, he was an organizing member of the Quality Pork Coop. He saw the need to be involved with the Dawson County Spare Rib Club and the Dawson County Cattlemen's organization.  In 2013 he was an inductee into the Dawson County Cattlemen’s Hall of Fame.

Additionally, he was a 40 plus year member of the Gothenburg Rural Fire Board and a 63 year member of the Gothenburg United Methodist Church where he served on various committees.

Giving to others truly made Larry happy which is why he enjoyed sharing his garden produce of sweetcorn, tomatoes and pumpkins. He loved to deliver his special bag of goodies to homes around town at Christmastime in his red suit.

Survivors include his loving wife Carolyn; two daughters, Stephanie (Vaughn) Ross, Crystal (Todd) Fangmeier; two sons, Page (Karen) Peterson, Paul (Shannon) Peterson; ten grandchildren, Justin, Amber, and Reagan Ross, Morgan, Colton and Alanna Fangmeier, Patrick and Evan Peterson, Savannah and Emma Peterson: five sisters, Virginia (Raymond) Rieker, Margy Hennek, Beverly Drullinger, Glenda (David) Walker, Karen (Ivan) Vrtiska; sister-in-law, Shirley (Roger) Aden; special friends, Dennis & Carol VanOverbeke; along with many extended family and friends.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents Alton and Anna Peterson; brothers-in-law, Don Hennek, Gerald Drullinger, Max France, and Milford France.

Visitation will be held at the Gothenburg United Methodist Church, Gothenburg, Nebraska, Monday, September 14, 2015, 1:00 pm - 8:00 pm with the family present from 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm.

Services will be held at Gothenburg United Methodist Church, September 15, 2015 at 2:00 pm.

Memorials may be given to the Larry Peterson Memorial Ag Scholarship, or The Gothenburg United Methodist Church Memorial Fund.  To sign the online guest book, go to www.blasestrauser.com.