PETERSEN, Helen P. (Palmer, Petersen, Drier) 1930-2003

PETERSEN, DRIER, PALMER, MCDERMOTT

Posted By: K. L. Kittleson
Date: 2/23/2015 at 20:20:06

Helen Petersen Drier

Helen P. Petersen was born in Waterloo, Iowa, on November 14, 1930, to Herbert G. and Cynthia H. Palmer. She graduated from West High School in 1948, attended Iowa State University, graduating with a degree in Foods and Nutrition. Helen moved to New York City's Greenwich Village, to serve internships with the U.S. Public Health Hospital and Yale University prior to accepting a consulting position with the National Dairy Council.

During a family visit back to Waterloo, she met her husband Robert W. Petersen. They were married on November 26, 1955, in Waterloo. Bob and Helen had three children, Dana Elizabeth, Robert Warren Jr. and Eric Palmer Petersen. Bob Petersen died December 10, 1973, at the age of 48.

After Bob's death, Helen became active in Northland Products Company, serving 12 years as President, prior to her retirement in 1986. She also assumed a very active service role in numerous industry and community leadership positions.

Helen served as Vice-President of Junior League of Waterloo-Cedar Falls, General Chairman of the 1983 YWCA -- Million Dollar Capital Campaign, Board of Directors of the Independent Lubricant Manufactures Association, Iowa Good Roads Association, National Bank of Waterloo, United Way, YMCA, Hawkeye Chapter of the American Red Cross, Waterloo-Cedar Falls Symphony Orchestra, and the Girl Scouts Conestoga Council. She served on the Board of Governors of the Iowa College Foundation, Board of Trustees and Executive Committee of Covenant Health Care Foundation, Board of Directors and Executive Committee for Junior Achievement of Black Hawk Land, Board of Trustees Waterloo Civic Foundation, YWCA, Memorial Park Cemetery, and First Presbyterian Church Foundation. Helen was a former Elder of First Presbyterian Church, Waterloo, Iowa.

Helen Petersen was a 1998 Junior Achievement Cedar Valley Business Hall Of Fame Laureate, received the 1988 Athena Business Woman Of The Year and the 1985 Sertoma Club Service to Mankind Award for her extraordinary contributions to her business and community.

Helen married Dr. William C. Drier MD, of Waterloo on November 24, 1984. They shared a life together with family and friends between their homes in Waterloo and Scottsdale Arizona, family gatherings in Sioux Lookout, Ontario, and numerous travels.

Helen P. Petersen died of cancer on Sunday June 15, 2003, at Cedar Valley Hospice.

She is survived by her husband; a daughter, Dana P. McDermott of Colorado Springs, Colorado two sons, Robert Jr. and Eric Petersen, both of Waterloo; seven grandchildren; a brother, Kenneth L. Palmer of Overland Park, Kansas; and a sister, Carolyn Reynolds, Lincoln, Illinois.

Source: Source: Locke Funeral Home
(Credit: S. Bell)