of Little Rock, AR

September 28, 1925 - August 2, 2021

Keith Mark ''Pete'' Petersen, 95, of Little Rock, Arkansas went to be with the Lord on August 2, 2021. He was born on September 28, 1925, in Cedar Falls, Iowa to Mark and Edna Petersen. Pete was devoted to his family and cherished the time he spent with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He enjoyed family gatherings in his home and loved grilling and making baked goods for special celebrations. Pete took great pleasure in fishing expeditions with his family and was an avid sports fan, always rooting for the Oklahoma Sooners, St. Louis Cardinals or Arkansas Razorbacks. In addition to his love for fishing and sports, he enjoyed woodworking and was a skilled handyman.

Pete was a member of First Christian Church in Little Rock and volunteered with their food pantry for many years. He loved his home and his country and always held in high regard those who worked to defend or lead others toward the greater good.

Upon his high school graduation, Pete enlisted and proudly served in the United States Navy during WWII as an Aviation Ordananceman, 3rd Class. He flew numerous sorties as a gunner on a Martin PBM Mariner protecting the eastern shores of our country. He was honorably discharged to Norman, Oklahoma where he met and married Louise Irene McQuown in 1946, the love of his life. While in Norman, he attended the University of Oklahoma where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering. After graduation, he began his career with Southwestern Bell in Oklahoma City, an occupation that took him and his family to many locations over the years finally settling them in Little Rock.

Pete was preceded in death by his dear wife, Louise; his parents and his daughter, Janet Bowden. He is survived by his brother, Bruce Petersen (Bonnie) of Summerfield, NC; his sister, Carol Bastian of Norman, OK; two children, Diane Ferree (John) of Norman OK; Keith Petersen (Linda) of Little Rock; son-in-law John Bowden of Greenbrier, AR; four grandchildren, Emily Connell (Kevin) of Greenbrier; Eric Bowden of North Little Rock; Matt Ferree (Jennifer) of Oklahoma City; Kristin Langrehr (Trent) of Spanish Fort, AL; six great-grandchildren, Hailey and Landon Connell; Caitlyn and Madison Ferree; Stevenson and Joumy Langrehr; a host of nieces and nephews and loving caregiver, Mia York. He was loved and will be greatly missed by all.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Keith's name to the Wounded Warriors Project (www.woundedwarriorproject.org), St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital (www.stjude.org), or First Christian Church, 14411 Taylor Loop Rd., Little Rock, AR 72223. A memorial service will be held at Roller-Chenal Funeral Home on Saturday, August 7, 2021, at 3:00 p.m. A graveside service with Honor Guard will be held at the Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery in North Little Rock, AR, Wednesday, August 11, 2021, at 10:00 a.m.

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