Petersen, Lile Ann (Petersen) (1933 - 2025)

PETERSEN, GOETZ

Posted By: Denise Wurner (email)
Date: 9/5/2025 at 17:08:21

Name of deceased: Lile Ann Petersen (nee Petersen)

Aged: 92 yrs, 5 mo, 3 days

Residence: Elm Crest Assisted Living, Harlan, IA

Born: Feb. 20, 1933; Jacksonville, Shelby County, IA

Died: July 23, 2025; Elm Crest Assisted Living, Harlan, Shelby County, IA

Funeral services: Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025; United Methodist Church, Kirkman, IA; burial was in Rose Hill Cemetery, Kirkman, IA

Survived by: Husband of 72 years, Richard D. Petersen of Harlan, IA; children, Mark (spouse, Deb) Petersen of Harlan, IA, Brian Petersen of Harlan, IA, Tami (spouse, Dan) Goetz of Cedar Falls, IA, and Jeffery (spouse, Cyndi) Petersen of Harlan, IA; 9 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; other family members and friends

Predeceased by: Parents, Horace and Rose Petersen; siblings, Eugene, Irene, Frances, Carol, Verda, Mary, Norma, James, Carl, Clemen, Timothy, Linda

Education: Graduated from Harlan (IA) High School, Class of 1951; she was made Homecoming Queen in her senior year

Religious affiliation: Life-long member of the Methodist Church; was a woman of deep faith and lived that faith through tireless service to her church and community; she was active in nearly every aspect of church life, serving as a choir member, lay leader, Sunday school and Bible school teacher, and district officer for the United Methodist Women. Her faith also led her on mission trips to places like Bolivia, Peru, and Oklahoma, where she worked to bring hope and comfort to others.

Military service: n/a

Marriage: Richard “Pete” Petersen; March 14, 1953; location not provided

Employment: After high school, Lile worked as a secretary at Farm Service Coop; after her marriage, she became a farmer’s wife

Hobbies/Interests: For 27 years, Lile and Richard spent their winters in Texas, enjoying sunshine, friendship, and time to rest; was active in nearly every aspect of church life, serving as a choir member, lay leader, Sunday school and Bible school teacher, and district officer for the United Methodist Women. A woman of deep faith who lived that faith through tireless service to her church and community, her faith also led her on mission trips to places like Bolivia, Peru, and Oklahoma, where she worked to bring hope and comfort to others. Was a skilled cook and baker, and her kitchen was a place of comfort and joy. Her chocolate chip cookies, sugar cookies, homemade jams, cinnamon rolls and holiday treats became family traditions, and her holiday gatherings were legendary. Was named Shelby County Citizen of the Year, inducted into the Shelby County Fair Hall of Fame, honored as an Iowa Master Farm Homemaker in 2002, and named a Merit Mother in 2016.

Sources: kjan.com; pauleyjones.com