Rosalie Petersen Obituary

Rosalie Ellen Petersen, 95, surrounded by her children, peacefully passed away on Monday, January 20, 2025, at Kennybrook Village in Grimes, Iowa.

Rosalie was born to Leo and Ardena Masterson on January 22, 1929. She graduated from Wilton Junction High School in 1946. Rosalie married her high school sweetheart, Kenneth (Ken) Petersen, on May 16, 1948. They moved to Grimes, where Ken began his lifelong career in the insurance business.

Two of the most important aspects of Rosalie’s life were her devotion to her family and her church. During the early years of marriage, she took care of their five children at home while Ken traveled frequently to build his insurance business.

Once all the children were in school, Rosalie also joined the business, helping at what was now Petersen Insurance Agency in Grimes. She obtained her license and managed the agency bookwork, contributing to the agency’s success for more than 50 years. Throughout this time, she and Ken enjoyed traveling to many wonderful convention destinations around the country and beyond.

Rosalie was a faithful member of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church. Her hard work and devotion to the church led to many fun and successful Lutheran Women’s Missionary League projects and events. She remained a member of the Rebekah Circle women’s group to her final days.

In her free time, Rosalie enjoyed golf and participated in recreational and league play with family and friends. She was also a bit of a card shark. She and Ken played regularly with friends, and Rosalie belonged to several bridge groups. In her later years, she enjoyed cards and games with her friends and family at Kennybrook Village. Rosalie’s creative talents could be seen in the many beautiful cross stitch projects that she completed and gave as gifts to family and friends.

Rosalie’s greatest gift to her family, friends, and all who knew her was her kind and gentle presence. To know her was to love her. Her legacy will live on through her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Rosalie is survived by her five children: Cynthia (Charles) Menke, Columbia, MO; Kenneth L. Petersen, Grimes, IA; Vicky (Dana) Myers, Des Moines, IA; Paul (Beverly) Petersen, Dallas Center, IA; Kent (Mony) Petersen, Grimes, IA; 12 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Kenneth, and her two brothers, Gilbert and Harry.

Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, January 28, 2025, at the Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Urbandale where friends may call beginning at 10:00 a.m. Burial will be in the Sunny Hill Cemetery Grimes, IA.

The family extends their heartfelt appreciation to the staff at Kennybrook Village, Rosalie’s home for the past seven years, for their professional and loving care. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Gloria Dei Lutheran Church or Hope Ministries.

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