Helen Rose Petersen

Helen Rose Petersen was born in Dannebrog, Nebraska on February 8, 1932 to Louie and Rose (Hald) Petersen.  God called her home on September 9, 2018.

Helen graduated from Dannebrog High School in 1950 and Bethel College in St. Paul, Minnesota in 1952.   She attended Wheaton College in Illinois and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Writing in 1954.

Helen was involved in mission and church work most of her adult life.  Her administrative skills served the home office of TEAM (The Evangelical Alliance Mission) in Chicago in the 1950s and 60s.  She also served with the International Assistance Mission in Kabul, Afghanistan during the 1970s.

During these years, Helen traveled extensively:  a European tour in 1968, “Around the World in 9 Months” in 1971, and to South and East Asia in 1980 after her mission group was forced to leave Afghanistan.

Upon returning to the States Helen worked in Chicago and New York before moving to Pasadena, California where she served as a companion/home manager for the elderly.  After retirement she made her home in Phoenix where she was pleased to be included in the family life of her grand-nephew and niece, David and Shawna Petersen.

Helen was a life-long learner and an avid reader, compiling quarterly book reviews for her friends and family.  She was quick to see the value of a computer for e-mail, file organization, and genealogy research.  She regularly attended Bible classes and was also an accomplished seamstress and cook.

Most recently, Helen was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Sun City and will be remembered for her service in the church library, and for her faithful work in maintaining and disseminating the church prayer list.

Preceded in death by her parents, Louie and Rose Petersen, brothers and sisters-in-law, Raymond, Donald (Inez), Nelson (Albie), Robert (Ann), James (Jean) John (Lois) and nephew Raymond Petersen.  She is survived by many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service was held on Saturday, September 15th, at the First Presbyterian Church of Sun City, Arizona.  Reverend Thomas Tripp officiated.  Inurnment will be at a later date in Oak Ridge Cemetery in Dannebrog, Nebraska.

Memorials are suggested to TEAM (team.org) or First Presbyterian Church of Sun City, AZ.