Alan “Butch” Petersen
Alan “Butch” Petersen
(August 11, 1949-March 10, 2023)
With full hearts, the Petersen, Radtke, and McDonald families announce the passing of Alan “Butch” Petersen. Born in Ogallala, Neb., Butch was a proud Nebraskan despite moving around the Midwest and settling in Kansas City for the last thirty years.
He was the middle son of Glen and Irma Petersen, and brother to Mona Kunio and Rodney Petersen. He attended Ogallala High School followed by McCook Junior College and graduated from the University of New Mexico where he was a stand-out heavyweight wrestler and powerlifter. While winning every title and trophy available to athletes, he narrowly missed out on a position on the U.S. Olympic wrestling team, but, as he told it, proudly lost to the eventual gold medal winner.
From a long line of Danish farmers, Butch spent his career dedicated to the farming community. He was an influential figure, and mentor to many, in the agricultural insurance industry. He was recruited to the field by his beloved uncle Paul Petersen.
While working his way to the top of the crop industry, he met his wife of over forty years, Marcia (McGreer) Petersen. In South Dakota, Butch and Marcia welcomed the first of their three daughters, Kate, followed by Molly and Sonja, born in Kansas City and Minneapolis, respectively.
Despite his imposing Viking physique, he was a tender heart. Butch’s girls, and later his six cherished grandkids, were the pride of his life. Marcia and the girls were at his bedside to hold his hand in his final moments.
The Petersen family had a passion for the great American road trip, visiting many of the U.S.’s famed roadways and National Parks. Butch shared with his girls an awe of nature and a sense of wonder for the world. Butch also instilled in them hearts for hospitality. A table in Butch and Marcia’s house was never full and there was always an extra bed, which was often happily filled by one of 22 nieces and nephews, who dearly loved their Uncle Butch, and he loved back in equal measure.
Butch was a lover of good food. He was the creator of an enviable spreadsheet of the best restaurant, complete with what he ate, in every city he visited. He took after his mother Irma and was an outstanding cook. He believed in a hearty breakfast, and took a more is more philosophy when it came to feeding people. His love of good food paired with a profoundly thoughtful spirit meant a holiday never passed without a box of chocolates and illness was always met with a pot of soup.
Butch sported mutton chops in the 70s, a mustache in the 80s, and a beard for the remainder, which faded from its original red to silver, and only slightly belied the fact there were dimples underneath.
Butch could’ve taught a masterclass on cribbage, and most all other card games. Butch wore clogs before it was fashionable and was known to sport shorts in the middle of a Minnesota winter. He also loved music. Name that tune was often played to pass the miles, and Butch’s family has taken comfort these days with a playlist of his favorite songs.
He was also an avid outdoorsman and spent all the time he could hunting and fly fishing. So it is only fitting that in lieu of a traditional funeral service, his girls and grandkids, will take a road trip to Great Falls, Mont., row out on the Missouri River, and return him to the place he loved.
Save your fork, there’s pie. We love you, Dad.
Invitation: We are hosting a celebration Saturday, July 8, at Lake McConaughy, Ogallala, Neb., on the south side of the lake. Everyone is invited. If you are unable to attend and would like to write something to share that would be great. Please contact Marcia for more information.