Petersen, Helen 1908-2004

FARNSWORTH, PETERSEN, KLOSTER, NIELSEN

Posted By: Vaugn Kloster (email)
Date: 5/12/2015 at 14:16:55

Helen Bernice (Farnsworth) Petersen 1908 - 2004

Helen Bernice (Farnsworth) Petersen, 96, of Woodbine, formerly of Plymouth County, Iowa, died Thursday, June 3, 2004, at Rose Vista Nursing Home in Woodbine.

Services were held June 5 at Fouts Funeral Home in Woodbine. Burial was in Woodbine Cemetery.

Helen Bernice Farnsworth Petersen was born April 15, 1908, in Spaulding, Ill., to James and Sarah (Isley) Farnsworth. She grew up in Spaulding and graduated from the Catholic high school in Taylorville, Ill. Following graduation, she moved in with her sister.

She eventually moved to Florida, where she met Alvin Petersen while he was in the service. The couple married Dec. 23, 1945. Following his discharge, they moved to Fredonia Township in Plymouth County, Iowa, and began farming. During this time, her father became ill and moved in with the couple until his death in the early 1960s. The couple then moved to the Woodbine area and continued farming. His mother moved in with the couple and she took care of her as well. On Dec. 19, 1970, Alvin was killed in a train accident. She moved into town and lived in her own home until she entered the nursing home in February 2004.

She was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church in Dunlap, Iowa. She was an active member and involved in WELCA. She loved animals and enjoyed playing cards.

She is survived by a sister-in-law, Evelyn Sievers of Le Mars, Iowa; cousin, Betty Neisius of Marcus, Iowa; special friends, Floyd and Twyla Hein of Dunlap, Iowa, and Gary and Sharol Altwegg of Logan, Iowa; and other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; a brother; and a sister.

She had generously left her estate to the Woodbine Fire and Rescue Department and the Martin Luther Home.