Dove Cremations and Funerals - Thomas R. 'Tom' Petersen 1952 - 2023

Obituary photo of Thomas Petersen, Dove-KS

In Loving Memory of

Thomas R. "Tom" Petersen

1952 - 2023

Services & Gatherings

Visitation:

Monday, February 6, 2023 from 3:00pm to 4:00pm
Topeka Bible Church

Service:

Monday, February 6, 2023 at 4:00pm
Topeka Bible Church

Interment:

Auburn Cemetery

Thomas R. “Tom” Petersen, 71, of Auburn, passed away Friday, January 20, 2023.

He was born January 7, 1952, in Minneapolis, MN, the son of Arnold and Eva (Ayers) Petersen.

Tom graduated from Robinson High School and the University of Minnesota.

He owned Associated Commercial Brokers, Associated Management Services, Petersen Development Corporation and Primary Mobile Med International of Topeka.

He was a member of Topeka Bible Church and was a co-leader of the Monday Men’s Bible Study at his office.

Tom married Kathryn Swanson in Lincoln, NE on June 30, 1973.

Survivors include his wife, Kathy Petersen of the home; his children, Eva Kathryn Bammes of Kansas City and David Petersen of Wichita; grandchildren, Lilly Bammes and Mia Petersen; siblings, Ruth Valesano, Lois Winslow, Esther Otto and many other family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two siblings, JoAnn Jelinek and Jim Petersen.

Tom enjoyed hunting, fishing, scuba diving with his buddies, and spending time with his family.

A Celebration of Tom’s Life will be held at 4:00 pm on Monday, February 6, 2023 at Topeka Bible Church, 1101 SW Mulvane St., Topeka, KS 66604. The family will greet friends starting at 3:00 pm.

Tom was interred at Auburn Cemetery in Auburn, KS.

Dove Cremations and Funerals Southwest Chapel, 3700 SW Wanamaker Rd., Topeka, KS 66610 is assisting the family.

Memorial contributions may be made to Africa Partners Medical, PO Box 7484, Rochester, MN 55903 (www.africapartnersmedical.org).

Topeka Bible Church will livestream Tom's service at https://www.discovertbc.com/homegoings.

To leave a message of condolence for Tom’s family, or to share a special memory of Tom, please click the Share Memories button above.

Share Memories

First Name:

Last Name:

Email:

Please also sign me up for Dove's email newsletter.

We will treat your information with the utmost confidentiality and not share or distribute it in any way.

Add your memories to the guest book of Thomas Petersen.

Condolences should be personal messages from family and friends. For a full version of our online obituary policy, please click here.

Memories & Condolences

Dear Petersen Family,
We so appreciated the kindness and interest Tom showed in our business interests over the years. He was a great advisor and so very helpful; he became a good friend, especially to Phil. His Christian witness was apparent in all he did. We send our sincere condolences to all the family and are honored to memorialize Tom with a donation to the Africa Partners Medical ministry. We pray your good memories and the Lord's great peace will help as you all adjust to Tom's passing.

Sincerely, Jean and Phil Frigon
Clay Center, KS

~ Phil Frigon - February 13, 2023

Sending prayers for strength in the coming days.

~ Jill Hiegert - February 3, 2023

Dear Kathy, Eva, and David: May God’s comfort sooth your heartache. We remember that Tom was welcoming to our family and us, and generous to us -- from the day we met him in 1996. We remember that he was passionate about building trustworthy relationships which were strong enough to carry the weight of important topics, like the gospel of Jesus and what the Bible has to say about work and career. We valued his friendship greatly. Go in peace, our brother. We will see you again.

~ Doug & Laura Simmons - February 1, 2023

My husband, Ed Carpenter, and I were shocked and crushed to hear of Tom's passing. As others have said he was truly a gentle giant. He loved and adored his family. I remember we were all making dinner for the Washburn Rural High School team. I think Kathy and I were the chairs of the dinner. We put Tom in charge of the mash potatoes. He knew how to work that large mixer from doing so many dinners at church and philanthropy events. Tom was a wonderful person. It was an honor to know him!

~ Ginger Barr - January 31, 2023

Tom was a quiet giant. I place him in the top tier of all the men I have ever known.
Biblical - His thinking was shaped by the scriptures.
Humble - Always content to listen and let others speak.
Wise - I treasure so many nuggets of wisdom I picked up from Tom.
Generous - The most selfless, most giving person I ever met.
Kingdom-minded - Tom saw the world and people from God's perspective.
Learning - Always reading and sharing the good things he was learning.
Bold - Tom challenged my thinking more than once. I so appreciate this rare quality.
Persistent - He did not give up easily.
Faithful - When Tom committing to something, he did it. He was a man of his word.
Loving - A man of compassion and tenderness.
Being around Tom, helped me to become a better man.
I miss him greatly.

~ Steve Walters - January 30, 2023

Kathy,David and Eva, I am so sorry and so sad to hear of Tom’s passing. It’s hard to express what I am feeling right now. I was employed by Tom for 15 years, I hunted elk with Tom, I fished in Alaska with Tom, I caught lobster in Florida while scuba diving with Tom and the memories and stories I have with Tom could fill a book. What I remember most about Tom is that he loved the Lord, he loved his family and he loved people. Tom will be greatly missed by all those who truly knew him.

~ Jamie Creviston - January 29, 2023

I am so sorry for your loss. Praying for comfort for all of you.

Terry Martinez

~ Terry Martinez - January 28, 2023

Kathy
May the LORD comfort you and all the family as you mourn the loss of Tim, and as you remember and celebrate his life. Very grateful for his investment in Africa, the significance of which will be known in eternity.

~ Paul Kimani - January 28, 2023

May his soul rest in peace we will Rembert his workmin Adrica

~ Kamal Said - January 25, 2023

Dear Kathy. Eva and David,

I was shocked beyond words to learn of Tom's passing. My heart goes out to you all.

Tom was a blessing to so many people - the extent of which we will never know this side of heaven.

May our God of all comfort bring you comfort as you enter this new season of life.

With prayers,
Brenda Hall

~ Brenda Hall - January 25, 2023

Kathy, Eva and David, I am so sorry to hear of Tom's passing. Tom was a great man always thinking of others before himself. Throughout the years of our friendship, he shared with me love and devotion to his family, it was unparalleled. I am proud to have had Tom as a mentor and a friend. He has touched so many lives and will be missed by not only myself but by all.

~ Jim Duff - January 25, 2023

What can be said? Tom followed Jesus, wherever that led. He was faithful and diligent to do the work God had given him. We will see him again and learn of all the marvelous things God did in and through him. Thank you, Lord, for giving us this time with him.

~ Ed & Connie Kearn - January 25, 2023

Eva and family- my heart breaks hearing of this terrible news. I remember how invested he was helping others in his community and abroad. He definitely showed us all a servant's heart. I pray you find comfort in loving memories and in His promise that joy will come in the morning.

~ Laura Ballou Marbun - January 25, 2023

I had the opportunity to be with Tom in his bible study at his office. He put together a great group of people and always had very good comments. One of his greatest strengths was "communicating" the gospel and taking the commandment to commission others freely and without pressure. He influenced many lives in a positive way and many times not aware of that. A unique skill. He will be greatly missed by a lot of people.

~ Robert Fletcher - January 24, 2023

Kathy and family, So, so sorry to hear of Tom's passing. Tom and I worked together for nearly two years, and I will never forget all of the good times Tom and I had together. Tom was a good man and it was always a pleasure to see him. I will always remember the good times Tom and I had going hunting together. I hope to see you all at the celebration of life. DickBarnes

~ Richard Barnes - January 24, 2023

My deepest sympathy to you Kathy, Eva and David. You and Tom are such dear friends,
and James and I were so thankful for the care you gave to our daughters when James and I went out of town.

Praying for you. Isaiah 43;1-3

~ Marilyn Stewart - January 24, 2023

Dear Kathy and family,

We were so sorry to hear of your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. We are not able to attend the service as we are out of town but we will remember Tom on that day. Joe remembers meeting Tom in 1975 when he moved to Topeka. God’s mercy and comfort be with you and your family.

Joe and Kathy Hopeck

~ Joe and Kathy Hopeck - January 24, 2023

Tom was such a kind, generous, and a very special person. He always had his Bible on his desk and would read it quite often. I admired his faith in God and how strong it was. I'm so sad and sorry to hear about Tom. My thoughts and prayers are with the Petersen family at this difficult time. God Bless you all.

~ Connie Alexander - January 24, 2023

We were are so very saddened learning of Tom’s passing. Dan and I have special memories of spending time together with Tom and Kathy during our early married years. What happy times those were.

Our deepest sympathies to Kathy and family.

Dan and Mickey Folger

~ Dan and Mickey Folger - January 23, 2023

So very sorry to hear of Tom's passing. He was a wonderful Christian leader, generous, fun loving and a great husband and father.

~ Doc & Phoebe Grindal - January 23, 2023

There is not enough room in an obituary to talk about all of the lifetime accomplishments for Tom. He was an amazing person in so many ways. The world is a better place because of things Tom did. He will be greatly missed by his family, friends and business associates. RIP Tom. Well done thy good and faithful servant.

~ Patrick Anderson - January 23, 2023

Tom, Kathy and I met the year we were married. Thanks for your friendship throughout the years!

~ Rita Potter - January 23, 2023

We are deeply saddened to hear of Tom’s passing, and are so sorry for your loss. The world is a better place because of Tom.

~ Chris and Jan Deister - January 23, 2023