Arleen Joan (Larson) Petersen, age 80, of North Platte, Nebraska passed away on March 28, 2020 at Great Plains Health in North Platte.
She was born on July 1, 1939 in Minneapolis, Minnesota to Nina Woodworth. On August 11, 1939, she was baptized as Karrin Jean Woodworth. Arleen was adopted on September 21, 1941 by John L. and Emma C. (Andersen) Larson near Tyler, Minnesota and was named Arleen Joan Larson. She attended country school for four years and graduated from Tyler High School in 1957.
On July 27, 1957, she was united in marriage to 2nd Lt. Robert “Bob” L. Petersen at First English Lutheran Church in Tyler, Minnesota. The couple moved to Waco, Texas while Bob finished training at Connelly AFB to be a Radar Intercept Officer (RIO). In February of 1958, they moved to Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Their sons Todd and Jon were born in Sioux Falls. From 1961 to 1963, they lived in Fargo, North Dakota where Bob finished college while flying with the North Dakota National Guard. Son, Marc, was born in Fargo. In June of 1963, the couple moved to North Platte, Nebraska where Arleen worked as a realtor from 1977 until she retired in 2018.
Arleen had a love for Community Theater and singing. In the mid 1960’s she directed 8 shows and acted in 10. She was in the Frontier Revue for 30 years, as both a cast member and director. She sang solos at funerals and church for 30 years, and sang with the Heartland Singers. Arleen was an active member at First Evangelical Lutheran Church for over 50 years, serving a 3 year term on the church counsel, church circle, and gave communion to the home bound. In 1985, Arleen received the Nebraskaland Days “Best in the West” Dale Studley Memorial Award followed by the “Friendship Award” in 1992.
She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Arlen Larson; son, Jon; and great grandson, Nolan Petersen.
Arleen is survived by her husband, Bob, of North Platte; sons, Marc Petersen of North Platte and Todd (Diana) Petersen of Kansas City; four grandchildren; and four great grandchildren.
A private family burial will be at Fort McPherson National Cemetery near Maxwell, Nebraska. A visitation with book signing will be from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., Tuesday, March 31, 2020 at Carpenter Memorial Chapel.
Memorials are suggested to The Connection in North Platte, Nebraska and online condolences can be shared at www.carpentermemorial.com. Carpenter Memorial Chapel is entrusted with arrangements.