Ava Petersen says she inherited a number of wonderful traits from her father, Eric, such as his deep love for animals, fishing and spending time in nature.
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Patricia Keitel shows off a scrapbook and other photos of her son Eric Petersen in her home in Maquoketa on Friday, February 28.
Lt. Jamie Belcher with the Sherriff's Office at the Macon County Jail in Decatur.
Medical Unit of the Macon County Jail
Medical Unit of the McLean County Jail
Photos of Eric Petersen, along with his two kids, fill a small memorial in Patricia Keitel's home. Erin Petersen, his wife, mentioned that he was a very hands on father.
Ava Petersen hugs her grandmother, Patricia Keitel, goodbye after visiting her home in Maquoketa on Friday, February 28.
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Eric Petersen's memorial bench located on a trail at Eden Valley Refuge in Ballwin, Iowa. Family visits occasionally to change out the decorations to fit the seasons and to refill the bird feeders.
From left, Eric Petersen's eldest daughter, 18, and his ex-wife, Erin Petersen, talk about his life and death on Friday, February 28, in Maquoketa. Though dealing with alcoholism during the later part of his life, his loved fishing with his kids, cooking and geode hunting.
Patricia Keitel places an electric candle in the middle of a small memorial in her home to honor Eric Petersen, her son, on Friday, February 28, in Maquoketa. Petersen, a type one diabetic, died in June 2022 in the Rock Island County Jail from ketoacidosis after the staff failed to administer his glucometer and medications.
Patricia Keitel shows off a photo of her son, Eric Petersen, in her home in Maquoketa on Friday, February 28.
Patricia Keitel speaks about her son's death at her home in Maquoketa. Eric Petersen died from ketoacidosis in the Rock Island County Jail after the staff failed to administer his medication.
Patricia Keitel poses next to her son's favorite chair on Friday, February 28, in Maquoketa. She reminisced that when he had lived at home for a short while, he would use the chair, which he had pulled from an apartment complex dumpster, in the front lawn to enjoy the outdoors -- something he loved doing.
Patricia Keitel points out a photo of her son, Eric Petersen, holding a fish that he had caught when he was younger. Next to the photo is a picture of a fishing rod and pond that Petersen had drawn during a church service when he was young.
Contact Analisa Trofimuk at 219-933-3211. Contact Drew Zimmerman at 309-820-3276. Follow Drew on Twitter: @DZimmermanLee
