Charles "Erwin" Peterson

Charles “Erwin” Peterson, 95, of Iowa Falls, passed away Saturday, September 28, 2024 at Ashbrook Assisted Living. Memorial services will be 11:00 AM Saturday, October 19, 2024 at the First United Methodist Church in Iowa Falls. He will be laid to rest with inurnment at Northlawn Memory Gardens. Visitation will be from 10:00 AM until service time on Saturday, October 19 at the church. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorials to the BrightFocus Foundation at the following link: https://donate.brightfocus.org/bff/donate?utm_medium=cpc_google&utm_source=efundraising&utm_term=BFF&utm_campaign=fy25-evergreen-bff&utm_content=evergreen&gad_source=1 Woodley Funeral Home and Crematory of Iowa Falls is caring for Erwin and his family. Charles Erwin Peterson was born March 31, 1929 to loving parents Jane Hamilton and Charles Peterson. Erwin attended country schools as a youngster, walking nearly four miles to attend. Growing up in rural Iowa, he cherished playing sports with classmates and neighbors, especially baseball and made many life-long friends while on the field. In his sophomore year of high school, Erwin started as a relief pitcher and quickly moved up to a starter his junior year. He graduated from Popejoy High School in 1946 and loved to proclaim that he had graduated in the top ten before admitting, with a sly smile, that there were only eleven in his graduating class (in actuality, he graduated second). One of his proudest moments occurred at graduation when it was announced that he never missed playing an inning in his high school baseball career. Erwin served five years in the National Guard and made Sergeant First Class. He quickly found that he enjoyed taking a leadership role and was put in charge of a tank with five crew members. He met his wife Bonnie at Lee Center Church’s Methodist Youth Fellowship, marrying her on January 16, 1951. As they worked to support their ever-expanding family on the farm, he found ways to contribute to the community by serving on the Popejoy School Board and later the Iowa Falls School Board as well as the Iowa Falls Coop Board. He was active in the church; one of his proudest accomplishments was leading an ecumenical group formed from the Knights of Christ. He also served as a lay speaker, tending to God’s acres and cherished teaching the Young Adult Sunday School class. Always curious, Erwin loved reading books of all kinds. This did not stop even when macular degeneration prevented him from reading, and he had to resort to asking Alexis to read audible books. As a life-long learner, he was eager to engage in challenging discussions with others, especially the young. He was a thoughtful listener and intentionally built strong bonds with friends and family through his genuine interest in their stories and opinions. Erwin constantly challenged himself. When playing his beloved baseball, he loved stealing not just any base, but home base. He worked hard at improving his farming skills, receiving several awards for his efforts. Though he didn’t begin playing golf until his 50s, he used his faithful baseball grip to compete and occasionally win local tournaments. Erwin made at least three hole-in-ones, two of which occurred after he became legally blind. He also managed to master line dancing despite being rhythmically challenged and create a weekly sing-a-long for those who love singing the old hymns, even though music was not his forte. He always strove to be the best possible version of himself as a follower of Christ, farmer, faithful spouse, father and friend. C. Erwin Peterson is survived by his sons, Robert Peterson of Iowa Falls, Russell (Denise) Peterson of Waterloo and Jerry (Cindi) Peterson of Lombard, IL; daughters, Sharon (Dale) Ingle of North Liberty, Becky Peterson of North Liberty and Marj (Rick) Meisner of Iowa City; twelve grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren and many beloved nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his wife, Bonnie Peterson; parents, Charles and Jane Peterson; sisters: Evelyn Olson, Erma Rupp, Elva Cecola, Elsie Crabtree and Esther Nachazel; brothers, Edmond and Eugene as well as a brother in infancy.

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Charles "Erwin" Peterson

March 31, 1929 - September 28, 2024