RAY EARL PETERSON was born December 31, 1944, in Lyons, Nebraska to Earl L and Edith (Robbins) Peterson. He passed away Friday, May 1, 2009, at the Mercy Medical Center in Sioux City, Iowa, at the age of 64 years.

Ray grew up on the family farm northwest of Lyons. Ray attended District No. 37 Paine School and graduated from Lyons High School in 1962.  He briefly attended the University of Nebraska at Lincoln before enlisting in the United States Navy.

On September 11, 1965, Ray married Kristie Kay Johnson and together they moved to Norfolk, Virginia, where he was stationed in the Navy. Ray circumnavigated the globe on a Navy destroyer and served in Vietnam. Upon being discharged in December 1967, Ray and Kristie returned to Lyons to live and farm Ray’s childhood home. They were blessed with two daughters: Kimberly and Stefanie.

Ray was a member of Bethany Lutheran Church in Lyons, where he served on the council and as treasurer for several years. Ray was also active with the Lyons Community Foundation, serving as secretary.  He was a member of the Masonic Lodge, VFW and Marketeer's Club. He served on the Paine School Board and Burt County Zoning Board.

Ray adored his five grandchildren and like his father, Ray enjoyed fishing, boating and outdoor activities.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers-in-law, George Willer, Arlis Hansen and Allen “Bud” Johnson.

Survivors include his wife: Kristie of Lyons; daughters and sons-in-law: Kimberly and Timothy Christensen of Jefferson, IA, Stefanie and Rod Larsen of Omaha, NE;  five grandchildren: Jacob and Emily Christensen of Jefferson, IA, Eryn, Camryn and Ryan Larsen of Omaha; sisters: Darlene Hansen of Council Bluffs, IA, Barbara Willer of Lawton, IA; brothers and sisters-in-law: Roger and Suzanne Johnson of Lincoln, Willis and Sandi Paulsen of Lyons and Dale and Mitzi Anderson of Uehling, NE.
 

CELEBRATION OF LIFE SERVICE:  Tuesday, May 5, 2009, at 10:30 a.m. at Bethany Lutheran Church in Lyons.

CELEBRATION OF LIFE GATHERING: Monday 5 – 8 p.m. with the family receiving friends at Pelan Funeral Home in Lyons.

BURIAL:  Lyons Cemetery with Military Honors by Robert Klase VFW Post No. 7998 and Harvey Lenig American Legion Post No. 83.

MEMORIALS:  Lyons Community Foundation, Lyons Rescue Squad and Bethany Lutheran Church

Please feel free to send your condolences to the family.
Each condolence will be printed and given to the family after the service.

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