"Linda, so sorry to hear about the passing of your husband! We are sending our love and prayers to you! Paul and Cheryl Beenken"
In loving memory of
Burdette W. Petersen
May 10, 1928 - July 18, 2020
Burdette Petersen, age 92, of Titonka passed away on Saturday, July 18, 2020, at Mayo Health System in Fairmont, MN. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.
Burdette Wayne Petersen was born May 10, 1928, in Hartley, Iowa, to George and Alma (Schlichting) Petersen. He grew up on a farm near Sutherland and graduated from Sutherland High School in 1946. Following graduation he farmed with his father and played semi-pro football for the Northwest Iowa Travelers. He married Shirley Stellish on May 3, 1947. The family moved to Louisville, KY where he served in the Air Force. In 1952, he joined the Iowa State Highway Patrol and was transferred to Forest City where they made their home and raised their three children. While on the Patrol, Burdette was one of the investigating officers of the Buddy Holly crash site near Clear Lake in February 1959. After leaving the Patrol, Burdette worked as a claims adjuster for Continental Western Insurance Company and opened Petersen Realty. The couple later divorced.
Burdette and Linda Frerichs were married on June 16, 1989, and they made their home in Titonka where he worked a variety of sales jobs. After retiring, he worked at the Wild Rose Casino until the age of 80. Burdette and Linda enjoyed raising and showing purebred Abyssinian cats and traveling to the many shows in the Midwest. Burdette was a people person and loved entertaining friends and family on the patio, tending the flowers and watching the fish in their fish pond. He also enjoyed his fishing trips to Minnesota, Canada and Alaska and spending winters in Florida. He especially enjoyed traveling to Wisconsin and Colorado to visit his children and attend the activities of his grandchildren.
Burdette is survived by his wife, Linda; his children, Sue Ellen Petersen of Silverthorne, CO, and Penny Satterwhite and her husband, Dan of Fort Collins, CO; two grandchildren, William Satterwhite of St. Louis, MO and Molly Satterwhite of Denver, CO and his faithful companion, Lizzy.
He was preceded in death by his son, Richard of Madison, WI, who passed away in February of 2020, and his parents.
Tributes
"I really enjoyed Burdette one of my favorite customers and friend. It was always a bright part of my day when he came on."
"We were so sorry to read of Bernie\'s passing. The Petersens were such wonderful neighbors when we all lived on N St. in Forest City."
"Wonderful man. He was always so nice to me."
"So sorry to hear of Burdettes loss. He was a good friend to our family back in the forest city days. A wonderful person!!"
"Sue Ellen, Penny and family - you are all in my thoughts and prayers; this news so saddens me. Burdette, your mom and whole family are a special part of my childhood memories - we so enjoyed our friendship during our mutual Forest City years. Your dad/granddad was a blessing to many and will be so very missed. - Jennifer (Goldman) Davis"
"Tony Petersen Burdette was my dad\'s cousin. We visited him in Florida last March and had a great time. I am glad I got to meet him."
"My name is Kathy. I worked with Burdette as a security guard at the Wild Rose from 2006-2008. Hr was the kindest most generous man I ever knew. I have no doubt he has a place set for him in heaven. My condolences to his family . What a great loss you have."
"I will be missing Burdette, and our fun, goofy talks we had together. He was a great guy to have as a friend!! I hope he and Richard are having a good time together now.Another hole in my heart."
"I am so sorry to hear of Burdette\'s passing. I and our family have such fond memories of our time together. My sympathies and love to the family. Stuart Goldman"
"I\'ve known him for years..a very nice man and he will be missed. My sympathies to the family."