Ardis N Petersen

Ardis Petersen, Cedar Falls, IA, and formerly of Tyler, MN, died September 12, 2007, in Cedar Falls at the age of 95.

Ardis was born August 31, 1912, in Upland, NE, to F. Clarey and Juliane Hansen Nielsen. She grew up in various locations in Nebraska, Minnesota, and Wisconsin, graduated from Grand View College in 1932, and attended the University of Iowa.

She was united in marriage to the Rev. Harold Petersen on August 6, 1935, and worked in partnership with him as he served as pastor for congregations in Denmark, KS; Ringsted, IA; Askov, MN; Pilger/Stanton, NE; and as interim pastor in Tyler, MN. Following her husband's death in 1980, Ardis continued to live in Tyler until moving to Cedar Falls in July 2007 to be near her daughters.

Ardis' faith was lived out in being a life-long learner, a reader and writer, a musician, and a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, mentor, and friend. She was an advocate and worker for peace and justice, caring for God's creation, preserving our historical heritage, caring for our minds and bodies, and living with joy and laughter. Ardis was active in countless organizations and endeavors throughout her long life and received numerous honors for her life of service. The greatest honor is the lasting legacy she leaves in the hearts of her family and host of people whose lives she influenced and inspired. Thanks be to God!

Ardis was preceded in death by her husband, her son and daughter-in-law, Paul and Marlene Petersen, and by a great-granddaughter.

Survivors include her brother, Arild Nielsen, Muskegon, MI; her daughters and sons-in-law, Solveig and Larry Gregory, Cedar Falls, and Asta and Arlen Twedt, Ankeny IA; grandchildren Sonja Hefta, Bill Petersen, Kaj Petersen, Kirsten Kelly, Karen Dowell, Maia Twedt, and Karla Twedt-Ball; 20 great-grandchildren; and seven nieces and nephews.

A celebration in song and scripture followed by a time of fellowship will be held at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Cedar Falls Saturday, September 15 at 3 p.m. A memorial service will be held Wednesday, October 3, at 11 a.m. at Danebod Lutheran Church in Tyler followed by inurnment at Danebod Lutheran Cemetery.

Memorials may be given to Danebod Folk School or ELCA World Hunger Appeal.