Merwin J. Petersen

April 26, 1938 - April 10, 2010

STRATTON, Nebraska -- Merwin Joe "Mert" Petersen died Saturday (April 10, 2010) at the Veterans Hospital in Omaha, Nebraska at the age of 71.

He was born April 26, 1938, on the family farm near Culbertson in Hitchcock County, Nebraska, the son of the late Earl and Josephine (McNiece) Petersen. Merwin grew up on the family farm and graduated from Stratton High School at Stratton, Nebraska, in 1955.

On December 16, 1956, he married Kay Williamson.

He entered the United States Navy on June 16, 1957, and received his honorable discharge on July 25, 1960. He moved to Stratton, Nebraska, where he worked for Miller Manufacturing until it closed in 1985. He began farming and was still actively farming until his death.

In 1968 he served as Commander of the VFW Post No. 9155 at Stratton.

He was preceded in death by one sister, Joyce Blake.

Merwin is survived by one daughter, Deb Duba and husband, Butch of Rockland, Idaho; two sons, Mike Petersen and wife, Joni and Ken Petersen, both of Stratton, Nebraska; six grandchildren, Colt Duba, Dalton Duba, Austin Petersen, Evan Petersen, Dylan Petersen and Ava Petersen; two brothers, Roland Petersen and wife, Shirley of Arcadia, Nebraska, Roddy Petersen and wife, Rebecca of Benkelman, Nebraska; one sister, Beverly Eller and husband, Doug of Lakewood, Colorado; and relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be Saturday, April 17, 2010, 10:30 a.m., at the United Methodist Church in Stratton with the Rev. Brian Fong officiating. Interment to follow at the Culbertson Cemetery at Culbertson, Nebraska.

Memorials may be given in his name and visitation will be Thursday and Friday at the Herrmann Funeral Home in Trenton, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Herrmann Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.