Marian E. Petersen

Marian E. Petersen Marian Emma Emilie Andorf was born in Hudson, Iowa, on October 21, 1915, the daughter of Fred and Mary Dufel Andorf. She grew up on a farm northwest of Hudson where she attended rural school.After graduation from twelfth grade, Marian worked for two years before getting married. On September 5, 1936, she married Vern Petersen, the love of her life, whom she met at church (Luther League).They purchased a farm just south of her family farm where they lived until 1951. At that time they decided to sell the farm and join Vern's father and brother in their construction business, P.O. Petersen & Sons. Vern died at the age of 33, shortly after their move to a new home they had built in Hudson. Marian was employed as manager of the hot lunch program at the Hudson Community School from 1957 until 1985. She worked in this position until she was 70. Marian loved working with the children, staff, and administration in this capacity. She also had various other part-time jobs to help support her family. Marian loved her Lord, life, and family and lived every day with great enthusiasm. Creating a Christian home for her children was her first priority. Her "love of life" was contagious to all who knew her. Some of Marians greatest joys included serving family and friends her wonderful meals or having them stop in for a visit. Her home was always open for overnight guests. Marian was a lifetime member of Zion Lutheran Church, rural Hudson, where she taught Sunday School and Bible School for 34 years. She was an active member of the Ladies Aide Circle until her stroke at the age of 85 years. Surviving are her three children, Robert (Margaret) of Hudson, Iowa, Joan (Ed), of Midway, Arkansas, and Judith (Louis) of New Providence, Iowa. She has ten grandchildren, twenty-one great-grandchildren, and eight great-great grandchildren. Marian was preceded in death by her husband, Vern, her parents, Mary and Fred, her granddaughter, Janee Petersen, her grandson, Mark Barnett, her two brothers, Arthur and Edward (Bud), and five sisters, Susan, Esther, Alice, Monica, and Helen. Services will be 10:00 a.m. Friday, May 25, 2012 at Zion Lutheran Church with burial in Zion Lutheran Cemetery, both rural Hudson. Visitation will be from 5 to 8:00 p.m. Thursday, at Dahl-Van Hove-Schoof Funeral Home, and one hour prior to service time at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Zion Lutheran Church. Condolences may be left at www.DahlFuneralHome.com.