Leonard Peterson

Ansley, NE- Leonard L. Peterson age 84 of Ansley passed away Wednesday July 22, 2015 at the Jennie Melham Medical Center in Broken Bow. Funeral Service will be held Saturday July 25, 2015 at 10:30 AM at the First Baptist Church in Ansley with Reverend Scott Harvey officiating. Burial will be in the Ansley Cemetery with Govier Bros. Mortuary of Broken Bow in charge of the arrangements. Visitation will be held Friday 8AM to 8PM at Govier Bros. Mortuary with the family greeting friends from 6PM to 8PM. Memorials are suggested to the Ansley Cemetery to be used for any future repairs or maintenance of the Veterans Memorial and/or to the Mason City Community Hall. Leonard Leroy Peterson was born January 23, 1931 in the Basin Community south of Mason City to Lawrence and Anna (Meier) Peterson. Leonard received his formal schooling in the Basin Community, Mason City, and Sumner until he was required to quite to work at the family business his junior year. Leonard served in the Army from September 7, 1950 to June of 1953. During this time he served in the Korean War where his major responsibility was to construct landing strips. Leonard was married to Bonnie Ferguson on March 14, 1954 at the Baptist Church in Ansley. The couple resided in Mason City, Shelton, and for 39 years before Bonnie’s passing in Ansley. Leonard could be seen for many years all around the Ansley community lending a hand to whoever needed it. He enjoyed operating machinery such as tractors, loaders, backhoe, and various other types of equipment. Leonard wasn’t happy unless he was working. There are a number of lots in Ansley that are much cleaner because of Leonard’s efforts. He remained as active as possibly right up until his last moments. Leonard is survived by son Randy and wife Dixie Peterson of Broken Bow, daughter Karen and husband Tom Schneider of Grand Island, daughter Joan and husband Randy Nelson of Ansley, and son Gary and wife Deanna Peterson of Sherman Lake. He is also survived by 14 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren, a brother Alden and wife Susan Peterson of Lincoln, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his wife Bonnie, his parents Lawrence and Anna Peterson, a sister Aleen Johnson, a brother-in-law Loren Johnson, and a son-in-law Randy Zimmerman Leonard will be greatly missed by all of his family and many friends.