Cleo Delane Petersen was born April 5, 1933, in Exeter, Nebraska to Pete and Helene (Christensen) Petersen and passed away in Seward, Nebraska on December 18, 2011 at the age of 78 years, 8 months, 13 days. Cleo grew up in Exeter where he was baptized in the Lutheran Church. He attended school in the Exeter and Polk communities. He worked as a tree trimmer before being drafted into the U.S. Army on April 27, 1953; he was honorably discharged on April 28, 1955. After his military service to his country he returned home and drove a gravel truck for several years and helped build the interstate. On July 16, 1957, he married Ruth C. Baker in Greeley, Colorado. Following the couple's marriage Cleo worked road construction in Wyoming until their return to Nebraska. They made their home in the Beaver Crossing area where they raised their family. Cleo worked for local construction companies before starting his career with Nebraska Machinery in 1966. He worked for the company for 35 years. The couple moved to Utica following his retirement. Cleo enjoyed attending auctions, flea markets with his wife Ruth, fishing, hunting, camping, playing cards, throwing horse shoes and spending time with family and friends. Cleo is survived by his daughter, Janice Fairhead and Kyle Metzger of Scottsbluff, NE; four sons, Kelly (Stew) and wife Lynette Petersen of Seward, NE; Scott and wife C. Jo Petersen of Beaver Crossing, NE; Brett and wife Ginny Petersen of Utica, NE; Darwin Petersen of Staplehurst, NE. Additional survivors include eight grandchildren, Emily Petersen, Kelsey Petersen, Jason Fairhead, Wes Fairhead, Leah Fairhead, Brooke Fairhead, Nick Petersen, Grant Petersen and one great grandson, Jaxon Rucker, brothers and spouses, Leland and Linda Petersen of Stromsburg, NE; Bob and Georgia Petersen of St. Paul, NE; sister and spouse, Aletha and Leon Piepho of Lincoln, NE; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife Ruth in 2006, his parents, one brother Virgil Petersen, four sisters, Glendora Martens, Beverly Patton, Marvlyn Weekly, and infant sister Leanne Petersen.