Gary G. Petersen, age 82, of Maquoketa, Iowa died on Saturday, December 7, 2024 at his home in Maquoketa, Iowa surrounded by his family under the care of Hospice of Jackson County.

A celebration of his life will be held at 11:30 A.M., Friday, December 13, 2024, at the First Lutheran Church in Maquoketa, Iowa. Visitation will be held prior to the funeral from 10 A.M. until service time at the church.  Burial will be in the Evergreen Cemetery, Delmar, Iowa.

Gary G. Petersen was born on October 4, 1942 in Maquoketa, Iowa to Alvin F. and Charline (Bailey) Petersen. He was a 1960 graduate of Maquoketa High School where he was in the National Honor Society and a lettered member of the track and football teams. He attended and graduated from the University of Iowa earning a Bachelor of Arts degree with high distinction in Geology with Physics and Mathematics minors and a Master of Science degree in Geology. At university he was a member of the Phi Beta Kappa, Phi Eta Sigma Fraternity, and The Society of Sigma Xi honor societies. He pursued further doctoral graduate studies in Geophysics at Columbia University in the City of New York. He married Joan L. Amrhein on January 7, 1967 in Cheyenne, Wyoming.

After college, he was employed as a geophysicist by Shell Oil Company. In 1977, he returned to farm east of Maquoketa for the next 47 years.

Gary had been an active member of several local organizations throughout his lifetime, some of which included the First Lutheran Church in Maquoketa, Jackson County Farm Bureau, Jackson County Extension Service Board, Limestone Bluffs RC&D, Soil and Water Conservation District, and Evergreen Cemetery Trustee.

Besides his lifelong passion for all things geology, he had an interest in experimental crops and farming methods. Gary was a quiet man who cared deeply about his family and his land. He was a good man with a memorable laugh. He will be dearly missed by his loved ones.

Gary is survived by his wife of 57 years, Joan L. Petersen of Maquoketa IA; children, Eric Petersen of Maquoketa, IA and Greg (Kathryn) Petersen of Coralville, IA; brother, Wayne (Patricia) Petersen of Maquoketa, IA; aunts, Catherine Bailey and Dolores Bailey; sisters-in-law, Gretchen Nimmo and Emmajean Amrhein; brother-in-law, Ken Keltner; grandchildren, Aiden and Isaac; niece, Michelle Burkey; nephews, Brad (Karen) Petersen, Jeremy (Jenny) Simmons, and Matthew Nimmo; two great nephews and two great nieces. He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Judy Keltner; two brothers-in-law, David Nimmo and Fred Amrhein; and niece, Sara Nimmo.

Memorials may be made to the First Lutheran Church of Maquoketa, Hospice of Jackson County, or a charity of the donor’s choice.

The Carson Celebration of Life Center in Maquoketa is caring for the family.  Online condolences may be left at www.CarsonAndSon.com.