Funeral Services for Charlie will be held on Wednesday, April 9, 2025 at 11:00 A.M. at the St. Michael Catholic Church in Belle Plaine, Iowa. A visitation for family and friends will be held on Tuesday, April 8, 2025 from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. at the Mitchell Family Funeral Home in Marshalltown, Iowa. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Belle Plaine American Legion Post 39. For additional information or to send a condolence to the family please visit www.mitchellfh.com or call 641-844-1234.

Charlie was born July 2, 1931, on the family farm in Chelsea, Iowa. He was the youngest of two children born to Charles Joseph and Lydia (Krajicek) Peterzalek. He spent his early years living and working in the Chelsea and Belle Plaine area. He joined the United States Army in 1952 where he served in the Korean War. Upon his honorable discharge from service, Charlie returned home to rural Tama County.

On January 4, 1958, Charlie was united in marriage to the love of his life, Mary Ann Braasch in Blairstown, Iowa. They made their home in Marion raising five children, Jeff, John, Kathy, Charlie, and Karen.

Charlie joined Stevenson Ford in 1958 working on heavy trucks. The name would later change to Grant Williams Ford before finally becoming Bob Zimmerman Ford. Over the years he held many positions including 20 years as Service Manager. He retired in 1996.

Charlie was an avid outdoorsman where he spent as much time outside as possible whether hunting, trap shooting, doing hobby farming, or riding his Honda Goldwing Motorcycle with Mary Ann. He loved his family above all things. He was always available to help in any way possible and fully enjoyed attending as many of the children and grandchildren’s activities as possible.

He was a lifetime member of the Cedar Rapids VFW Post 788, The Belle Plaine American Legion Post 39, the Belle Plaine American Legion Honor Guard, North Linn Fish and Game Club of Central City and the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Marion, Iowa.

Those left to remember and cherish his memory are his children, Jeff (Gerri) Peterzalek, John (Traci) Peterzalek, Kathy (Joe) Stephenson, Charlie Peterzalek and Karen (Randy) Kessler; his grandchildren, Anna (Ryan) Anderson, Kyle (Dana) Peterzalek, Chelsi (JT) Martin, Carter (Jamie) Peterzalek, Hannah (Martin) Kaplan, Abbey (Tyler) Vandendooren, Cori (Jeremiah) Andrews and Jake (Whitney) Kessler; nine great-grandchildren; and beloved family members, Janet (Bill) Warren, Margaret Checkal, Ron (Katie) Braasch and Nancy Braasch.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Mary Ann; his parents, Charles and Lydia; and his sister Nadine Vanous.