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In Loving Memory of Our
Dad Desmond Leslie Petersen
11/11/1940 to 25/04/2020
Honouring Our Dad’s Journey in Life
Dad lost his battle with pancreatic cancer on Saturday 25th April at Broome Hospital, Western Australia.
He was born in Toowoomba, the eldest son of Leslie Clarence and Edith Emily Petersen. Dad grew up in the small country town of Cambooya. He completed his schooling in Cambooya and went on to achieve his Trade Qualification as a Fitter and Turner at the Southern Cross Foundry in Toowoomba. This qualification took Dad on his next journey in life that saw him leave Queensland and head to the Kimberley. He started working on Gordon Downs Station where he met our Mum.
In 1967, Christine was born at Halls Creek. Three years later, Jane was born at Wyndam. Dad made the hard decision to leave the Kimberley and move back to Toowoomba so his children could attend school. Toowoomba weather did not agree with Mum’s asthma, so it was off to Dalby and a drier climate. The Petersen family grew in number. Four more children; Stephen, Everard, Alistair (decd) and Alison were born in Dalby. Many years were spent living in Dalby. The original five Petersen children grew up and expanded their families. Dad was blessed with eight grandchildren: Clinton, Dean, Renee, Chloe, Samantha, Emily, Kayla and Jayde and three great-grandchildren; Cooper, Penelope and Octavia . Sadly in 1997, Mum passed away.
After losing Mum, Dad crossed paths with Janice again. Dad and Janice had met many years earlier on Gordon Downs Station. In 1999, Dad and Janice were married at Alice Springs. It was comforting to see a smile on Dad’s face again with Janice by his side. For twenty years, they made the yearly trek back to Queensland to catch up with his children and their extended families.
So it is with heavy hearts that we farewell you Dad. You were an excellent teacher with great patience for each of your five children. The life skills you have passed on to us continually serve us well and for this we thank you. We will miss your yearly treks to Queensland and hearing your voice on the end of the phone.
A huge thank you to Jason, Errol, Daniel and Janine Roe for being a part of our Dad’s life and keeping an eye on him during his final days.
With all our love, Christine, Jane, Stephen, Everard and Alison
