Obituary of Richard Petersen

Richard Owen Petersen, age 81 passed away July 9, 2010, in Saint Francis, Kansas. He was born January 18, 1929 in Flagler Colorado to Millard and Sylvia Petersen. He graduated from high school in Flagler and from Barnes Business School in Denver in 1948. He was a lifetime resident of Flagler, working with his father and owning several businesses until his retirement. Richard helped his dad build the M & S Motel (Little England) 1947 – 1949, 1951 worked in Idaho for six months helping his father-in-law, Bert Moody, with construction; returned to Flagler to work with his dad again at M & S Motors until 1953, when he bought Vern’s Equipment (Case Implement). He sold the dealership in 1960 when he returned to work with his dad at M& S Motors. In 1966 he bought out his dad and in 1979, built the Husky Gas Station. He ran this business until 1990. From 1990 to 1993 he worked for Kit Carson County. Before poor health forced his retirement in 1994, he ran a scrap metal salvage business. In 2005, health forced Richard to move to the nursing home in Hugo, where he resided until May 2010. He then moved to the nursing home in Saint Francis, Kansas, where daughter, Kris and family live. Richard’s first love was flying, which took he and his family many places to enjoy trap shooting, hunting, and fishing. He was blessed to go on fishing trips in Canada with friends and family. He always chuckled when he told the story of his grandson, Patrick (12 years old), shooting a bear with one shot in Canada, and jumping out of his skin when the bear dropped to the ground. He enjoyed hunting and fishing with his son and grandsons, and had many good memories of time spent with them. He had a sign in his room at the nursing home in Hugo that said, “Fishing stories told here, some true,” a gift from grandson David. In earlier years, Richard was active in Lion’s Club and the Odd Fellow Lodge. He was active in Flagler Town Council and was also Mayor at one time. Richard gave his life to the Lord in 1976. He had the pleasure of helping in the founding of Trinity New Life Church. For many years he was an elder and member of the Trinity New Life Church and was a member of Full Gospel Businessmen’s Fellowship. On June 30, 1950, he married JoAnn Moody, who survives. He was able to celebrate 60 years of marriage before his death, when his kids brought cake and homemade ice cream to the hospital. Other survivors include a son, two daughters, 11 grandchildren, and 4 great-grandchildren. Son Mike and wife Elaine, of Flagler; David and Lance Petersen, Crystal (Cory) Chick and son Kyler, and Casey (Marni) Lee and daughter Mia. Daughter Kris Rice and husband Ken, of Saint Francis, Kansas; Patrick (Angie) Grant, and daughter Emma, Meggan (Josiah) Nierman, Jonathan Grant, and Dawn and Allison Rice. Daughter Jani Lackey and husband Dan, of Rolla, Kansas; Jade (Carl) Oldham and son, Noah; Luke (Malissa) Lackey. He was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers, Lowell, Normal, and Lawrence