Alfred "Pete" Petersen

Alfred "Pete" Petersen, 80, of Rock Springs passed away Feb. 3 at Deseret Heath and Rehab. A lifelong resident, Petersen died following a lengthy illness.

He was born in Green River, Dec. 7, 1934, the son of the late Charles C. and Virginia (Finlayson) Petersen.

Petersen attended schools in Green River and was a 1954 graduate of the Green River High School. He attended one year of college at Yankton College in Yankton, S.D.  

He married Helen F. Pivik on May 11, 1957 at the Saints Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church in Rock Springs.

Petersen was a United States Army Veteran and served from May of 1957 to May of 1959 and was stationed at Fort Sheridan, Ill.

He was employed by Sweetwater School District No. 1 as Custodial Supervisor from 1977 until retiring in 1999.

Petersen helped establish the Open Door Developmental Center (Sweetwater County Child Development Center) and Southwest Rehabilitation Center. He cared for terminally ill relatives and friends, receiving an Apostolic Blessing from Pope John Paul II for caring for Father William Espenshade.

Petersen was a member of Holy Spirit Catholic Community.

Survivors include his wife Helen Petersen of Rock Springs; one daughter, Julie Anne Petersen of Rock Springs; three sons, Mark Petersen and wife Michele of Holland, Mich., John Petersen of Columbia, Virginia and David Petersen of Rock Springs; one grandson, Daniel Petersen and wife Stefanie of Rock Springs; four granddaughters, Jenni Petersen and husband David of Jacksonville, N.C., Amie Antonino and husband Justin of Lyman, Tania Petersen of Las Vegas, Nev., and Svetlana Kirkey and husband Joe of Penbroke Pines, Fla.; twelve great-grandchildren; one brother, James Vern Petersen of Rock Springs; one nephew, Von Petersen of Rock Springs; one niece, Kaye O'Neal of Phoenix and many cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers Edward Petersen and Charles Dale Petersen, sister Dorothy Summerfeld, grandson SFC Justin A. Petersen, nephews James Petersen and Bill O'Neal.

Following cremation, a mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Monday at Saints Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church at 633 Bridger Avenue in Rock Springs. A vigil service with rosary will be recited at 6 p.m. Sunday, at the church.

Military honors and inurnment will be in Rock Springs Municipal Cemetery. Friends may call at the church on Sunday, one hour prior to the rosary and on Monday one hour prior to services.

The family of Alfred "Pete" Petersen respectfully suggests that donations in his memory be made to Deseret Health and Rehab, 1325 Sage Street, Rock Springs, Wy.  82901. The funds will be used for a blanket warmer.