Arlene E. Petersen

Arlene Evelyn Petersen, 96, passed away peacefully Monday, September 15th, 2025 at the Calvin Community Care Center, in Beaverdale, Iowa.

Arlene was born to Frank Arnold and Bessie Pearl (Starry) Kralik at Adair County Hospital on March 25th, 1929 in Greenfield, Iowa. Arlene grew up in the Nevinville and Williamson area before moving to and graduating from Cumberland, Iowa where her Dad owned the filling station.

During these growing years, Arlene enjoyed time with her friends, especially riding horses. She enjoyed telling of the time she galloped down the hill of Main Street in Cumberland, and of her many explorations on horseback of the surrounding countryside.

After graduation Arlene moved to Atlantic, shared a house with friends, and worked at Walnut Grove Feed Company and the town Dress Shop. Arlene enjoyed singing and even sang live on KJAN local radio station.
It was in Atlantic, that she met and married Gene Petersen in 1954. She remembers those years in Atlantic as some of the best in her life.

Gene and Arlene made their first home in Anita after Gene’s graduation from ISU Veterinary School. However, soon after Gene was called to duty as an Army officer to be a meat inspector in Yugoslavia. Arlene followed him overseas and had many wonderful experiences in several foreign countries. They returned home to Iowa in 1955 just in time to deliver their first child, Brent. In addition to mothering a toddler, in 1957, Arlene assisted her husband Gene in setting up and operating a large animal veterinary practice out of their home in Fontanelle, Iowa. She always had the coffee pot hot and ready! In 1962 their second child, Greg, arrived. With a full household, Arlene involved herself in the Fontanelle Methodist Church helping teach Sunday School, she became a Cub Scout Den Mother, and continued to support Gene’s practice until an auto accident occurred with Gene that called for major life changes.

In 1974, a move was made to Urbandale as Gene had been commuting for several years for work. Arlene lost no time in making new friends and being a helping hand wherever she was needed. She may have felt like Greg’s personal chauffeur at times, but she didn’t regret encouraging him to get involved in many activities. Arlene, as well as Gene, became caretakers to family and even friends, sometimes taking them under their own roof.

In 1999 Arlene and Gene made their final move to Johnston, Iowa so they could be closer to their granddaughters and enjoy being an active part of their growing years and the flurry of activities they were involved in.

Arlene was a meticulous organizer! There was a place for everything and everything had a purpose, often described in her handwriting on an attached paper. As time allowed, she enjoyed scrapbooking and researching and documenting family ancestry. But overall her passion was for her family and friends, spending time with them, loving them, helping them, laughing with them. Arlene cherished all the relationships she developed overseas and all her years in Iowa. She always had a story to tell and if you were one she shared life with, you are blessed indeed.

She is survived by two sons, Brent (Barb Thorsheim) Petersen of Granger, Iowa and Greg (Jennifer) Petersen of Ankeny, Iowa; granddaughter, Katie (Ron) Strait of Ackley, Iowa; and step- grandson, Izaac Hawkins of Ankeny, Iowa.

Arlene was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Gene Petersen; two grandchildren, Ryan Douglas and Jenna Lynn Petersen; brother, Dick Kralik; and a number of aunts and uncles.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, September 29, 2025 at Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway, 3601 Westown Parkway in West Des Moines with visitation one hour prior. Luncheon will follow the service here at the funeral home. Burial at 3:00 p.m. at Atlantic Cemetery in Atlantic, Iowa.

Memorial Contributions may be directed to the Animal Rescue League of Iowa where many furry friends can benefit as Arlene always had a big heart for all animals big and small.

Print