Danny Arthur Petersen, 65, of Pentwater, passed away unexpectedly on August 11, 2017.

Dan was born on September 23, 1951 in Ludington, the son of Carlyn and Mary (Mills) Petersen. After his father passed away at the age of 52, Dan left Scottville School to take over the family business, C. Petersen & Sons, his limestone, trucking and excavating company. He was a hardworking man who felt most comfortable at home with his family and working on the farm and being in his beloved garage. His days were often brightened when his close friends would stop by for coffee while he was tinkering in his garage/office. He loved driving his new scooter back to the lake with his dog, Buster, his newest friend.

Dan had a true passion for drag racing; whether it was watching his grandchildren race, teaching his grandson, Danny, how to fix drag cars, or sponsoring the Blue Oval Battle, which will be renamed as the “Blue Oval Battle V – in memory of Dan Petersen” at his second home, Northern Michigan Dragway in Kaleva. For all that knew him, knew his tremendous passion for Fords and Mustangs. He loved to have his friends and family over for his legacy fish frys during the lunch hour with all of his farmer friends, they all meant so much to him.

Dan was a humble man with a generous heart and will be truly missed by those who survive him: his wife of 46 years, Loretta (Gustafson) Petersen; children, Carla (Zach) Hanson, Jesse (Anna) Petersen, and Cathy (Brian) Monton; grandchildren, Danny (Samantha Sarnowski) Petersen-Angell, and Jaden, Jared and Jessica Petersen; sister-in-law, Alta Petersen; siblings-in-law, Irma (Les) Hesse, Phyllis (Mark) Alvesteffer-Seeback, Barbara (George) Martin, Larry (Glenna) Gustafson, Jerry (Mary Adams) Gustafson, Mary Gustafson, and Rich Sibley; many nieces and nephews, and many friends including Tim (Janice) Hiltunen, his non-biological son, who holds a special place in Dan’s heart.

Preceding Dan in death are his parents, Caryln and Mary Petersen, brothers, Gary and Jerry Petersen; and siblings-in-law, Jimmy Gustafson, Patricia Sibley, and Donnie (Mary) Gustafson.

A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, August 16, 2017 at 11:00 am at Oak Grove Funeral Home in Ludington, with visitation starting at 10:00 am. Visitation will also be held on Tuesday, August 15, 2017 from 5:00-7:00 pm at the funeral home. Dan will be buried at Riverton Township Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Petersen family, which will be used to memorialize Dan at the Northern Michigan Dragway.

Please share your fond memories of Dan at www.OakGroveFH.com.

Arrangements were entrusted to Oak Grove Funeral Home & Cremation Center of Ludington.

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