Emmanuel Ole Peterson was born May 14, 1912, at the family farm 6 1/2 miles
north of Britt, Iowa, and died January 20, 2004, at the age of 91 years, 8
months, and 20 days.
He was the youngest of ten children of two Danish immigrants, Karen Marie
Mathilda Olsen of Tornemark, Sjaelland, Denmark and Edward Michael Peterson of
Hyldtofte, Lolland, Denmark.
He was baptized at the Upper Flat Evangelical Free Church, north of Britt, Iowa,
on August 4, 1912. As a young teen, he accepted Christ as his personal Savior
during a week of evangelistic meetings at the Upper Flat Church. He was a
member of the Upper Flat Evangelical Free Church for about 75 years and served
on the board for over 50 years.
He attended Crystal Township No. 8 School until he graduated from the 8th
grade. In 1931, he graduated from Britt High School where he was active in
football and the manager of the basketball team. He attended Britt Junior
College for one year and then worked as a hired man for several years.
On February 22, 1938, he married Hazel Ionia Boldt, daughter of Benjamin and
Lydia Boldt, at her parents' home in Britt, Iowa. Their home was blessed with
two daughters and four sons: Ruth Alice, David Charles, Paul Alan, Neal
Emmanuel, Lindy Lou, and Hazel Ann.
Emmanuel farmed north of Britt for more than 43 years and near Forest City for
about 2 years. He also worked at Marting Manufacturing for 35 years before
retiring in 1992. He had a life long love affair with horses and was always
happy to be around them and drive them.
Emmanuel was a loving husband, father, and grandfather and known as someone who
loved to visit with people and who loved a good story. He had a wonderful
memory and loved to talk about the history of the Upper Flat area and the church
he loved so much.
Emmanuel is survived by six children: Ruth Zill of Kiel, Wisconsin, David
Peterson of Britt, Paul and Marsha Peterson of Brit, Neal and Alice Peterson of
Perryton, Texas, Lindy and LaMae Peterson of Woonsocket, South Dakota, and Hazel
Peterson of Eagan, Minnesota; 19 grandchildren: Rebecka Thalheim Broussard,
Robert and Richard Thalheim, and Geoffrey Zill; Lisa Peterson; Angela Peterson
Ausborn, Toni Peterson Shafer, and Laurie Peterson; John, Rachael, Michael,
Thomas, Timothy, and Belva Peterson; Jon, Benjamin, Mark and Kelly Peterson, and
Jennifer Peterson Wagner; 14 great-grandchildren; one sister-in-law Genevieve
Peterson of Worthington, Minnesota, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Emmanuel was preceded in death by his wife Hazel in 1994, one grandson Neal
Emmanuel Peterson, Jr., his parents, one daughter-in-law Barbara Peterson, one
son-in-law Elmer Zill, five brothers: Bernhard, Louis, Victor, Walter, and
George, four sisters: Anna, Gerda, Myrtle, and Nina.