A Pulitzer Prize-winning newspaper
Rodney Alen Petersen, 67, of Holstein, formerly of Alta, passed away peacefully on June 1, 2025, surrounded by his loving family.
Funeral services will take place Thursday, June 5, at 10:30 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Alta. Burial will be in Scandinavian Cemetery in Alta. Visitation will take place Wednesday, June 4, from 6-8 p.m. at Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Alta.
Rod was born on Sept. 24, 1957, to Floyd and Mary Petersen. He graduated from Alta High School in 1975 and went on to live a life full of love, laughter and meaningful moments. On March 6, 1976, he married the love of his life, Linda. Together they shared 49 wonderful years of marriage and built a strong, close-knit family, raising three children: Melissa, Joshua and Becky.
After high school, Rodney started his career at Hygrade and went on to work at John Morrell, Farmland, Tyson, Seaboard Triumph Foods, and ZFI. He was known for his strong work ethic and dedication throughout his many years in the meat processing industry.
Rod was proud of his eight grandchildren: Nathan and Brooke Reiling; Matthew, Cole and Reeve Langner; and Erika, Brett and Brendon Petersen. He loved being a grandpa and attending their various activities.
A passionate golfer, Rod proudly served on the golf board in Alta. He loved traveling — especially trips to the Wisconsin Dells and the Ozarks — discovering new restaurants and smoking meats on his smoker. Rod was always willing to strike up a conversation, especially with a whiskey and Coke in hand.
Rod and Linda shared countless joyful experiences, including their love for their Yorkshire terriers: Maggie, Brutus, Tipper, Dusty, Harvey and Stella. They especially enjoyed traveling to casinos together to test their luck and enjoy each other’s company.
Rod was also a dedicated sports fan who loved cheering on the Green Bay Packers and the Iowa Hawkeyes, and he was a longtime member of the chain gang for Alta High School football.
Rod is survived by his wife Linda; daughters, Melissa (Brian) and Becky (Jeremy); daughter-in-law Tonya Hinners; his eight grandchildren; his sister Pat Rimmer; and brothers- and sisters-in-law: David and Audrey Gustafson and Ervin and Runae Brake; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his son Joshua; his parents, Floyd and Mary Petersen; his in-laws, Rune and Shirley Gustafson; brother Frankie; and brother-in-law Ivan Rimmer.
Rod will be remembered for his kind heart, big smile and deep love for his family. His legacy will live on in the many lives he touched.
