Hometown: Olin, Iowa April 30, 1924 - May 26, 2015

Leo D. Peterson, 91, of Olin, Iowa, passed away on Tuesday, May 26, 2015 at the Anamosa Care Center. A celebration of his life will be held on Friday, May 29, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at Lahey Funeral Home in Olin. A visitation will be held on Friday, May 29, 2015 from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. at Lahey Funeral Home in Olin. Burial will be in the Olin Cemetery with military honors accorded by Olin American Legion Blayney Miner Ahrendsen Post # 412. Leo D. Peterson was born April 30th, 1924 in Decorah, Iowa son of Albert and Hattie (Dinger) Peterson. He farmed with his father until his induction into the service in 1943 as a member of the 8th Air Force 357th Fighter Groups as a Sergeant. He was stationed in England, France and Germany from 1943 – 1946 during World War II. Leo was one of the "Keep 'Em Flying" personnel commended when pilots shot down 56 German planes over Germany in one afternoon without a loss. He was married to Ardella Hamed in McGregor, Iowa on December 20th, 1947. They were in the restaurant business for five years. He attended engineering school and was superintendent of maintenance for over 30 years for the Olin Consolidated Schools, retiring in 1988. He always had a special place in his heart for all of the students that attended the Olin schools. He was a member of Morley United Methodist Church, the VFW and the Olin American Legion Blayney Minor Ahrendsen post #412. He was a volunteer of the Olin Fire Department for 20 years. He enjoyed the outdoors and was an avid golfer, enjoyed fishing, reading and playing cards with his buddies. He loved spending time with his family and traveling all over the country with his wife. He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Della, and his two children; Linda (Bill) Kennebeck of Trenton, Missouri and Jim (Diana) Peterson of Monticello, Iowa; three grandchildren, Jennifer (Jason) Ross of Jensen Beach, Florida, Gina (Gary) Hiler of Marion, Iowa and John (Jennifer) Kennebeck of Trenton, Missouri; six great-grandchildren, Hannah, Grace and Ella Kennebeck, Jordan Ross, Mason and Logan Hiler; and four sisters, Marjorie Tieskotter of Decorah, Iowa, Eunice Dillman of Des Moines, Iowa, and Frances (Bill) Byrnes of Waukon, Iowa. Leo is preceded in death by his parents, a sister Arlene Hanson, and an infant sister. He will always be missed, always loved, and always remembered. Memorials may be given to Morley United Methodist Church or Jones Regional Cardiac Rehab Center in his honor.