Gerald K. Petersen

Gerald Krogsgaard Petersen left this life to be with the Lord one month after his 100th birthday. He was born November 7th, 1923, in Dagmar, Montana on their family farm. He was the youngest of six children born to Svend Oluf Petersen and Johanne Nielsen Petersen, who immigrated to the United States from Denmark in 1901. He received his elementary and secondary education in Sheridan County. During World War II he served in the 349th Regiment of the 88th Division in the U.S. Army. After the war he enrolled at the University of Montana where he earned a Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from the School of Law. He then became a member of the Montana State Bar Association and practiced law in Montana for three years. On April 2, 1954 he was married to Phyllis Jackson in the Little Log Church of the Coeur d'Alenes at Pinehurst, Idaho. They made their first home in Portland, Oregon where he was employed in the claims department of The Traveler's Insurance. He was transferred to Calgary, Alberta and later to Sacramento, California. While in Sacramento he became a member of the California State Bar Association and was associated with the law firm of Fitzwilliam, Memering, Stumbos, and Demers. In 1975 he, along with six other attorneys, established the law firm of Bolling, Walter, Pothoven, and Gawthrop. Gerry’s love and devotion to Phyllis included his desire for her to fulfill her goals and ambitions. After years of teaching, Phyllis decided to pursue an Ag Science degree at Oregon State University. They purchased a home in Corvallis in 1977 and she moved there, and later Gerry sold his interests in the Sacramento firm and moved up and started the firm of Petersen, Barker, and Dunfield in 1980. He had been a member of the Oregon State Bar Association since 1955. Gerry and Phyllis enjoyed traveling domestically and internationally. Their love for Gospel Blue Grass music took them to several festivals throughout the country. They were members of First Baptist Church in Corvallis before joining Oakville Presbyterian Church in 2008 where they felt immediately at home with the farming families. The church family became an extended family for them. Their arrival at Oakville was no doubt orchestrated by God’s timing in that God provided a lawyer to help navigate the church in switching from the Presbyterian Church USA to the Evangelical Presbyterian Church. Gerry also faithfully served as a Ruling Elder. He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Phyllis in December of 2018. He is survived by several nieces and nephews and their families. There will be a Memorial Service on January 16, 2024, at 11:00 am at Oakville Presbyterian Church, Shedd, OR followed by lunch in the Fellowship Hall. Please share your thoughts and memories for the family at www.McHenryFuneralHome.com.

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Gerald K. Petersen

November 7, 1923 - December 5, 2023