Obituaries » Mr. Jarrett L. Peterson
Mr. Jarrett L. Peterson
February 17, 1968 - July 25, 2015
Service Date: July 30, 2015
Jarrett L. Peterson, 47, died unexpectedly in his sleep Saturday, July 25, 2015. The son of Jerold and Joyce Peterson of Ames, Jarrett was born on February 17, 1968 in Ames, Iowa. He received his Bachelor’s Degree in Tele-communicative Arts from Iowa State University in 1991. From a young age, Jarrett was destined to be in communications. Whether it was getting a grade in high school changed from a B to an A, or quoting the entire script of a Monty Python movie, Jarrett loved to talk and debate. He had the rare combination of being a creative, visionary, big-picture guy, and at the same time his attention to detail was second to none. He turned his passions and skill set into a lifetime career in video production and communications. He started his career at WOI-TV. From there, he spent 10 years at Principal Financial Group, and has been working at the Ankeny Community School District since 2008 as the Coordinator of Communications and Marketing.
On August 31, 1996, this meticulous planner was united in marriage to Melanie Thomason in Huxley, Iowa. They had two beautiful daughters together who were his pride and joy. He was a thoughtful and romantic husband who always set the bar high. His passions also spilled over into his married life, as he loved to plan family vacations in detail and enjoyed renovating houses with Melanie. Whether it was finishing the basement or building a deck detailed to the nth degree, Jarrett poured himself into his family projects. He thoroughly loved Halloween and he would hand make intricate lawn decorations that filled his front lawn. He was a licensed pyrotechnic and went to many commercial fireworks shows. For the last 16 years, Jarrett and two close friends would purchase enough fireworks for a Fourth of July show that would rival some town celebrations, complete with music timed out to the second. There were many weekends spent camping with his friends and family that always involved card games and sharing hilarious memories around the campfire. Above all, his love and devotion to his wife and two daughters were constant.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Melanie of Ankeny; his daughters Kjistine (KJ) and Rachel; parents Jerold and Joyce Peterson of Ames; sister Jennifer (Brian) Kreutner and their children Sarah, Sophia and Jonathan of Vinton; aunt Linda Hansen of Dayton; uncle Duane Fjelland of Huxley; cousins Laura (Todd) Teske and their daughter Kira; and Letitia (Hugo) Kenemer and their son, Harvey, of Ames; in-laws, David and Carol Thomason of West Des Moines; and sister-in-law, Kristi (Matt) Gilbreth and their daughters, Tarah and Jolie of Colorado Springs.
Visitation will be 5-8 p.m. Wednesday, July 29, at Lutheran Church of Hope – Ankeny. Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Thursday, July 30, also at the church. Cremation will follow services.
In lieu of flowers, an account has been established at Community State Bank in Ankeny to assist with higher education for KJ and Rachel.