Noland Stanley Petersen

Noland Petersen passed away December 23, 2011, at age 93. He was born on the 4th of July, 1918, to Nels and Marie Petersen of Del Rey, CA. Upon the death of his mother in 1932, the family went to live with an aunt, Ida Petersen, until Nels later married Dena Kaarsberg.

Noland was the beloved husband of Thelma for 62 years; she preceded him in death in 2002. Noland and Thelma lived most of their married life in Fresno. In retirement, they moved to Vista in 1986; then to Redlands in 1994. In 2003, Noland moved to Hanford. He began working for the Santa Fe Railroad in 1937, and retired from his career as a train dispatcher in 1980. Throughout his life, he was a student of the Bible and enjoyed his church life; he was also an avid baseball fan. He attended the Methodist Church with his kindhearted friend, Evelyn Sarquis.

Noland was also preceded in death by a sister, Geraldine, and son, Ronald. He is survived by a brother, Clyde (Ann) Petersen of Selma, CA; sister, Gertrude (Ed) Bowen of Calgary, Alberta; two daughters and their husbands: Linda Frye and Doug Patterson (The Sea Ranch), and Marsha and Steve Robinson (Hanford); and his granddaughters and great-grandchildren: Kelly (Dave) Rogers, Katie and Maggie; and Kristin (Tim) Hollabaugh, Kyle and Luke. He is also survived a cousin, Lois Johnshoy, sisters-in-law Edna (Ed) Daves and Doris (Don) Johnstone, and by several nieces and nephews.

For the past six months, Noland was a resident of Valley Christian Home. The family wants to thank the caregivers for their compassion and patience each day.

A Memorial Service will be held at the Methodist Church on Friday, December 30 at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church, 505 N. Redington, Hanford, CA 93230.

“I love you all dearly;

now don’t shed a tear,

I spent my Christmas

with Jesus this year.”