James Stanley Petersen

May 25, 1926 - July 9, 2015

James Stanley Petersen, 89, of Central City, Nebraska died Thursday, July 9, 2015 at the Central City Care Center in Central City. Funeral services will be Friday, July 17, 2015 at the First Congregational Church in Burwell at 11:00 A.M. with Pastor Alan Petersen officiating. There will be no visitation. Burial will be in Kent Cemetery near Burwell. Solt-Wagner Funeral Home of Central City is assisting the family. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.wagnerfuneral.com. Memorials are suggested to the family. Stan was born on May 25, 1926 to Harold and Vera (Williams) Petersen in Burwell, Nebraska. He grew up in the Burwell area and graduated from Loup County High School in Taylor, Nebraska in 1943. Stan enlisted in the United States Army in April of 1945 and became a Sergeant serving during WWII. While serving his country, Stan was a member of the Occupational Forces in Kyoto, Japan. He was then honorably discharged in December of 1946. Stan married Amy Mae Molesworth on December 28, 1948 during the blizzard of 1948-49. Stan and Amy lived and raised their children on a farm/ranch northwest of Burwell, Nebraska until 1968. Stan and Amy then moved the family to Lincoln where he worked for the Lincoln Telephone and Telegraph in the Cable TV Department. He moved up to supervisor of the Telephone Repair Shop. He retired in 1988. Stan served on the Pleasant View school board. His fascination with electronics and technology led him to take course work in electronics. He was a creative inventor, could fix anything and was skilled at making anything from playground equipment for his children such as (merry-go-round, teeter totter) to building remote control planes. Stan was a small aircraft pilot. He enjoyed flying and circling over neighbors until they would wave. He would check pastures in the neighborhood for cattle after storms and loved giving people thrilling rides. He also took a plane acrobatics course. Stan was a HAM radio operator. He enjoyed visiting with other radio operators. He used the radio during fires and emergencies. Stan and Amy enjoyed traveling and spent winters in Texas after retiring. He enjoyed his children and was proud of each one. He also enjoyed his grandchildren and great grandchildren. Grandpa loved visiting and teasing the children and in return, they joyously returned the teasing and love. Stan is survived by three daughters- Linda and Norman Balliet of Central City; Judy and John Ahlschwede of Central City; Carol and David Brozek of Lincoln ; one son- Jerry and Rachel Petersen of Firth; sisters in law - Ruth Ann Petersen, Rieta Petersen, and Viola Tucker. Twelve grandchildren; Thirty-three great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.