JERRY RAY MAGNUSSEN, 67, of rural Peterson, Iowa passed away at his home on Friday, November 4, 2011.

Memorial services will be held on Friday, November 11th, at 2:30 p.m. at the Peterson United Methodist Church in Peterson, Iowa. Pastor Kim Dewey will officiate. Burial of the cremation ashes will be in the Cedar Cemetery at Larrabee, Iowa before the memorial service at 1:00 p.m. Military rites will be performed by Dean Underwood Post #10 of the American Legion of Peterson, Iowa at the graveside. Visitation for family and friends will be on Thursday from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. with the family present from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. at the Peterson United Methodist Church. The Boothby Funeral Home in Cherokee is in charge of the arrangements. Online condolences can be left at www.boothbyfuneral.com

Jerry was born on May 15, 1944 at Cherokee, Iowa to August & Olga (Johnson) Magnussen. He attended Larrabee Consolidated School until it closed in 1961 and then graduated from Sutherland in 1962. He attended University of Northern Iowa and Northwest Missouri State University where he graduated with a B.S. in Business in 1967. While in college, he was a member of Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity. Jerry enlisted in the U.S. Navy in March of 1968. He was aboard the USS Ticonderoga making two West Pacific Tours to Vietnam and then was transferred to the Naval Air Station in Memphis, TN in 1971. He held the rank of Disbursing Clerk ( DK2) being honorably discharged in 1973. He worked at Peterson State Bank from 1972 until 1994 and then became a partner in J & K Insurance in Sutherland in 1994. He was baptized and confirmed at Larrabee Methodist Church and then joined membership at the Peterson United Methodist Church where he was a Chairman of Church Building Committee when the new church was built in 1993. Jerry enjoyed his community, being a volunteer in many activities. He was a member of American Legion Post #10 of Peterson, Iowa, Peterson Lions Club since 1972 and Sutherland Commercial Club. He enjoyed golfing, fishing, playing cards and visiting with friends and customers.. He was a friendly person, always greeting people with a smile. Jerry was special brother to his brothers and sisters. He was a favorite uncle of his nieces and nephews and always wanted to know about their activities.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Jerry is survived by his siblings: Paul & Sharon Magnussen of Milford, Iowa; Dale & Karen Magnussen of Larrabee, Iowa; Ruby & Jack Rupp of Ida Grove, Iowa; Janice & Robert Werthman of Cherokee, Iowa; also several nieces, nephews and many friends.