John Chris Petersen

John passed away unexpectedly on Oct 21, 2018 at the age of 86. He was born February 23, 1932 at Petaluma General Hospital to Richard and Catherine Petersen. He was raised in Petaluma on a chicken ranch and was active in the FFA. He graduated from Petaluma High School in 1950, served in the United States Navy from 1950 to 1953. He married Arlene DeMartin in 1954 and together they raised two children. John worked in various jobs with his twin brother Oscar and then began a 20 year career in cattle breeding, servicing the dairy farms in western Marin and Sonoma Counties. He lost his wife Arlene to cancer in 1996. He continued gardening with his hired man, a blue New Holland tractor. He met his companion Betty Boland in 2001 and together they traveled in his fifth wheel trailer to many national parks across the Western states. He also enjoyed hunting at his cabin with family and friends. He loved his tractors and reading a good book. John was preceded in death by his parents, Richard and Catherine Petersen, his twin brother Oscar Petersen, sister, Dorothy Gray, brother-in-law Bill and Irene DeMartin. He is survived by his daughter Maureen O'Hare (Buck), son Wayne Petersen, his two grandchildren, Nick Coleman (Erika), and Amanda Martino, four great grandchildren, Ruby and Nicholas Coleman and Madison and Lilly Martino, and numerous nieces and nephews. Memorial Services will be held at Parent-Sorensen Mortuary at 850 Keokuk Street in Petaluma on Thursday, November 1, 2018 at 11:00 am. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Hospice of Petaluma, COTS or your favorite charity.