Thomas J. Petersen, 67, died on February 22, 2013 at the Hiawatha Hospice House. Celebration of Life will be 3-7 p.m. Thursday, February 28th at the Avacentre at Brosh Chapel in Cedar Rapids, located at 2121 Bowling Street SW, with military rites at 6:30 p.m. Thomas was born July 24, 1945 in Clinton, IA, the son of Donald and Bette (Byrnes) Petersen. Thom served in the USMC from 1964-1968. He married Ruthie Hickerson on November 6, 2010. Thom was an avid Bears and Hawkeye fan and had a passion for life. Thomas is survived by his wife Ruthie Petersen; a daughter Heidi Fischer; step-son Tommy (Karel) Horn; step-daughter, Kristi (Michael) Haynes and several grandchildren and a great grandson, his dad, Louis Brown, brothers; Bill Brown and Joe (Robin) Brown and several nieces/nephews. Thomas is preceded in death by his parents. Memorials may be directed to the family.