Sherman Wendell Petersen

Sherman Wendell Petersen, 94, of Richland, Michigan and formerly of Battle Creek, Michigan died on Tuesday, November 16, 2021, at Freedom Village in Holland, Michigan.

Sherman was born November 7, 1927, in Wakonda, South Dakota to Morten and Mae (Richner) Petersen. He grew up on a farm in Irene, South Dakota, and graduated from Irene/Wakonda High School.

During WWII, Sherman honorably served his country in the U.S. Air Force as a Cryptographic Technician. After the war, Sherman worked 15 years for Grand Trunk Western Railroad as a train dispatcher, depot agent, and telegraph operator. Working on a train was his childhood dream.

He earned his Bachelor's Degree in Accounting from Western Michigan University in 1965. In 1985, after 20 years of service, Sherman retired from the Kellogg Company as Director of Accounting Research. Prior to and after his retirement, Sherman was an Accounting Instructor at Kellogg Community College.

Sherman was united in marriage to Kimiko Yamada on July 18, 1976, in Battle Creek. Surviving are Kimiko, his wife of 45 years, and sister, Kathleen LaTrielle. Sherman was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Kermit and Milton Petersen; and sisters, Margaret Riley and Nellie Curry.

To honor his wife, Sherman established the Kimiko Petersen Fine Art Awards Fund at Kellogg Community College Foundation. Each year Art Scholarships are awarded at Kellogg Community College in Kimiko's name. Sherman and Kimiko also established the Petersen Promise Fund at South Dakota Community Foundation, to provide financial support for college to graduates of Irene/Wakonda High School.

Sherman was an avid reader. He was very knowledgeable on a variety of subjects, and enjoyed sharing his opinions. He also enjoyed being outdoors, golfing, traveling and spending time with Kimiko and his friends. Since he was interested in history, they visited all 50 states; and they enjoyed vacationing abroad. For the past year, he made every effort, despite his declining health, to join his friends every morning for breakfast. Sherman will be remembered for his wit and intelligence.

A service to celebrate Sherman's life was held at Fort Custer National Cemetery, at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, November 23, 2021. The service was recorded and may be viewed at https://vimeo.com/649075097/0f9d6d7b12. Arrangements are by Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care. Personal messages for the family may be placed in the "Memory Book" at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.