Rev. Julius L. Peterson, the son of Mauritz and Gladys (Herman) Peterson was born on July 1, 1928 at Salina, Kansas. He passed away on Saturday, September 4, 2021 at the Good Samaritan Society, Red Oak, Iowa at the age of 93 years, 2 months and 3 days.

Julius grew up on a farm near Assaria, Kansas and graduated from high school there in 1946. He graduated from Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kansas in 1951, where he met his wife, Arlene Lofgren. They were married on November 18, 1950 at Greeley, Colorado. To this union three sons were born: Mark, Bruce and Kurt. As Julius felt a call to be a pastor, he enrolled in the Augustana Theological Seminary in Rock Island, Illinois. He was ordained a Lutheran pastor in June of 1956. He served Lutheran churches in Prophetstown and Lily Lake, Illinois, Swea City, Stanton and Postville, Iowa. Julius retired in 1991 and they moved to Rogers, Arkansas where he could spend time on his hobby of raising POA horses. However even there he helped start a Lutheran church just over the line in Eagle Rock, Missouri. He also was the visitation pastor in Peace Lutheran Church in Rogers. They moved to Red Oak in 2005. For many years they enjoyed spending winter months in the Rio Grande valley of south Texas in Harlingen the Sunshine Encore Park. He was a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Red Oak.

Julius is survived by his wife, Arlene Peterson of Red Oak, IA; 3 sons: Mark (Melanie) Peterson of Stanton, IA, Bruce (Diane) Peterson of Baldwin City, KS and Kurt (Marann) Peterson of Des Moines, IA; 11 grandchildren: Matthew (Becki) Peterson, Mitchell Peterson, Magnum (Kelsey) Peterson, Monroe Peterson, Myles Peterson, Alyssa (Alex) Crouch, Claire (McKinley) Dick, Eric Peterson, Fayth Peterson, Olivia (Eric) O'Bryan, and Chloe Peterson; 3 step-grandchildren: Vira, Uddom, and Ritthy Phan; 5 great-grandchildren: Addi, Zak, Lilith, Barrett, and Draco; 2 sisters: Virginia Gfeller of Junction City, KS and Lois Thayer of Overland Park, KS; a sister-in-law, Ruth (Rev. Keith) Pearson of Lincoln, NE; other relatives and friends.

May God bless his memory and give strength to those who mourn.

Cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held later.

Memorials are suggested to the ELCA Board of Global Missions or Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Red Oak.

Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at www.sldfuneralhome.com

Sellergren-Lindell-DeMarce Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.