Kenneth Roger Petersen Jr.

Kenneth Roger "Sonny" Petersen Jr., 79, of Cedar Falls, completed his lifelong journey of following Jesus Christ and was rewarded by meeting Him face to face, Monday, January 30, 2023. He was born on March 10, 1943, in Waterloo, the son of Kenneth Petersen Sr. and Viola Card Petersen. Kenneth married Sandra Troyer on June 16, 1961, in Waterloo, and the couple was blessed with three children. Having grown up in the church together, Kenneth, as a toddler, spotted Sandra in the nursery and he knew early on she was the girl for him. As a truck driver for Standard Forwarding, Kenneth delivered parts for John Deere over a five-state area and retired in 1999.

Kenneth was a humble man who first met Jesus as a young teenager. His life was consistently telling others of who he had found and where he was headed with the goal of having them join him. As a worship leader for over 40 years, Ken's passion for the presence of God created an atmosphere for others to join in song. He loved serving, whether it was his fellow man, or his wife, Sandy, and he believed his greatest mission was to be married to her and to serve her. Kenneth was a gentle man who practiced the belief that it was better to build up rather than tear down. As a trucker, he was known on the CB radio as "The Pacemaker," and that name really described him as being steady as he went. One of the greatest gifts Kenneth gave his children was the family name, and in return, he expected them to honor that name.

Kenneth is survived by his wife, Sandy; children Brenda (Steve) Allen of Hudson, IA, Teresa (Roger) Samec of New Hartford, IA, and Kenneth (Dianne) Petersen III of West Burlington, IA; 7 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; brother Gary (Angella) Petersen of Dayton, OH; and other family members and friends. He was met at Heaven's gates by great-granddaughter Aubrey Presar, sister Judith Byrd, and a host of many others.

Funeral services will be Sunday, February 5, 2023, at River's Edge Christian Church, 1247 Cedar Bend St., Waterloo, at 4:00 PM. The Petersen family will greet family and friends at the church Sunday beginning at 2:30 PM. Private family burial will take place at a later date at Garden of Memories Cemetery in Waterloo. As a show of sympathy, memorials should be directed to the family to be used to extend Kenneth's love to others. On-line condolences may be expressed at www.lockefuneralservices.com.