"Gene was such a good friend and neighbor. We were blessed to have known him and have him in our life. He was one of the good guys. Our sincere condolences to his family. Don and Lu Cross, Munds Park"
In loving memory of
Eugene Petersen
February 8, 1937 - August 3, 2022
Eugene (Gene) Petersen departed this life surrounded by family at his home in Cave Creek, Arizona on August 3, 2022. A devoted husband, father, grandfather and friend, he was born on February 8, 1937 in Sioux City, Iowa to parents, Marvin and Emma Petersen. He is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Pauline Petersen, son Jon Petersen (Shelleigh), daughters Cathy Banovac (Rocky) and Karen Zoerb (Brad), grandchildren Craig Hernandez (Brooke), Dustin Hernandez (Stephanie), Zach Petersen (Casey), Brooks Petersen, Austin Zoerb, Mackenzie Zoerb, great-grandchildren Wyatt Hernandez, Gavin Hernandez, Aubrey Hernandez, Ariana Hernandez, and Tripp Petersen, and a host of many loved and endeared extended family. Gene was preceded in death by his parents and his eldest son, Jeffery Petersen.
Gene spent his early childhood years in Aurelia, Iowa and came to live in Phoenix with his parents while in his teenage years. He graduated from West High School and thereafter attended Arizona State University. Having worked in the automobile industry for most of his adult life, Gene retired in 1995 from Courtesy Chevrolet as Director of Service, a position he held for 30 years.
After retirement, no grass grew under his feet. Gene lived life to the fullest doing the things he loved the most such as working on household projects and restoring numerous classic cars and trucks, many of which earned top awards in various automobile show categories. He enjoyed being near or on the water. He was an avid boater and a member of the Phoenix Power Squadron boating club wherein he was inducted as Squadron Commander in 1991. As the years passed, he later developed a passion for model trains. He completed a room-sized table top replica of his boyhood hometown complete with mountains, tunnels, streams, downtown businesses, local municipalities, and a fully functioning HO Scale Santa Fe Railroad and rail-yard. Before his passing, he had begun a second train table on a smaller scale in his garage. In his spare time (lol), Gene enjoyed working jigsaw puzzles and watching old westerns. He will be deeply missed by his family, friends and all who knew him.
A Celebration of Life will be held in his honor at Hansen Desert Hills Mortuary & Cemetery, 6500 E. Bell Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85254 on Friday, August 19, 2022, at 11:00am, with a reception immediately following the ceremony. The family wishes to acknowledge and extend a special thanks to Holly, Jen and Robert of Desert Valley Hospice & Palliative Care for their compassion and attentive care.
For those who wish to remember Gene in a special way, gifts may be offered in his memory to Desert Valley Hospice & Palliative Care, 11225 North 28th Drive, Suite D112, Phoenix, AZ 85029 www.desertvalleyhospice.com OR The Arizona Humane Society at azhumane.org, Phoenix, Arizona.
For those unable to attend, the service will be live-streamed at the following link: https://vimeo.com/737982451
Tributes
"I was so glad to know neighbor Gene. To Pauline and family, he will be missed but not forgotten. Nancy Finn"
"A beautiful family. So sorry for your loss. John and Barb Lusson, Memories in the Phoenix Power and Sail Squadron,"
"Love you so much, Dad. "
"Miss you so much already, dad! We are all taking good care of mom. I trust you will be watching over us, especially during your Celebration of Life. Our hope is that the words spoken, as well as the tears and laughter shared will be honoring to you. You finished the race, a good and faithful servant. Looking forward to a warm hug when we are reunited again for eternity. Much love, Cathy"