Evelyn Ruth Petersen

March 7, 1926 - March 20, 2017

Evelyn Ruth, daughter of Charles Frederick and Inez Marguerite (Carmer) Whittlesey, was born March 7, 1926, on the family's farm near Gilmore City, Iowa. She attended country school near Gilmore City as a young girl and graduated from Gilmore City High School in 1945. She then worked for the telephone company as a switchboard operator in Humboldt, Iowa. On August 29, 1946, Evelyn was united in marriage with Knute John Petersen at Faith United Methodist Church in Gilmore City. The couple made their home and raised their family on the farm where Evelyn was born and raised. Evelyn helped with work on the farm, grew her own vegetables in a large garden, and took care of her children, all while being actively involved in her church. She also volunteered at the local food pantry. Evelyn could play piano and loved music and dancing. She died at the age of 91 years on March 20, 2017, at the Paula J. Baber Hospice Home in Fort Dodge, Iowa. Survivors include her children: Kathleen Hiveley (Jim Zeka) of Fort Dodge, IA, Martel (Richard) Merrill of Humboldt, IA, Denise Pawlak of Jefferson, IA, and Mark (Kathy) Petersen of Hardy, IA; grandchildren: Rhiannon (Jeremy) Lange of Rolfe, IA, Kent (Corie) Petersen of Humboldt, IA, and Ashley (Duran) Watts of Renwick, IA; step-grandson Jason (Brittany) Clark of Fort Dodge, IA; great granddaughter Morgan Lange, and step-great grandchildren: Corbyn, Quynton, and Preslyn Clark, Kjerstin, Christian, and Kayli Ohm, and Adrien and Livia Watts. Evelyn was preceded in death by her parents, husband Knute in 2003, brother Byron (Marietta) Whittlesey, and sister Susan (Norman) Taylor.