Melvin N. (Mel) Petersen

Mel passed away at his Sebastopol, California home after a year long battle with Pancreatic Cancer at age 73. He is survived by his loving wife of 43 years Karen Skelgaard, beloved son Thomas (Erica) and grand children Mack, Nevaeh and Miles. Also survived by brothers Allen (Sherry), William (Diane), Gary (Louise) and Lynn Petersen. Sisters Joyce Petersen, Adele (Leo) Barclay and Susan (Gary) Lawlor. Predeceased by his parents Geraldine and Newton Petersen and brother Donald Petersen. Also survived by numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.

Mel was born and raised on the Petersen Dairy on Petersen Road and attended Dunham Elementary, Kenilworth Junior High, Petaluma High school Class of 66. He graduated from Santa Rosa Junior College and Sonoma State University. Mel played college basketball and after college became a fast pitch pitcher for a variety of Sonoma County teams. Mel served in the 579th Unit of the California National Guard. Also belonged to the Petaluma Druids, Sonoma As, and Santa Rosa Horseshoe Club. After college went to work at Hewlett Packard/Agilent and retired after 30 years in 2003. He continued working in partnership with his brother Gary in the high weed mowing and tractor business. Mel and Karen spent their retirement traveling to Europe, Caribbean, Mexico, Hawaii, New Zealand and Australia. Also traveled the highways in their RV and met many new friends.

Mel will be remembered as a wonderful and loving husband and father, a great brother, cousin, nephew, uncle, teammate, co-worker, and friend of many.

Friends and family are invited to a celebration of Mel’s life on Saturday February 26, 2022 at the Hessel Church, 5060 Hessel Ave., Sebastopol, California at 1 P.M.

The family would like to thank the compassionate care Mel received from Continuum Hospice and the services of Parent-Sorensen’s Mortuary in Petaluma.

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Celebration of Life

Saturday, February 26, 2022

1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Hessel Church