Arlene Joyce Petersen

Arlene J. Petersen (a.k.a. "Nana") Age 72, passed away peacefully at Good Samaritan Hospital in Puyallup, WA on February 15, 2013, surrounded by family. Arlene Joyce Rouse was born on November 16, 1940 in Nekoma, ND, and moved to Edgewood, WA as a young girl. Arlene attended Edgemont schools and graduated from Sumner High School in 1958. Arlene was voted "Most Athletic" in her high school yearbook. After graduation, Arlene started her 14-year career at Boeing and later married her high school sweetheart, Gary G. Petersen, in 1960. Together they built a home on Lake Tapps and raised their three children: Robyn, Ron and Connie. Arlene was a stay-at-home mom for 7 years before joining Gary at Petersen Brothers, Inc. Gary and Arlene were the 3rd generation of Petersens to own the family highway guardrail business after purchasing it from Gary's father and uncle. Together they grew Petersen Brothers and took on a number of other business ventures. Arlene was very involved with all her children's activities as well as the Sumner community. She supported projects that have included the Parks & Rec Department, Sumner Community Food Bank, Daffodil Sports Complex, Tacoma-Pierce County Chaplaincy, and the upcoming Sumner YMCA. She was blessed with 4 grandchildren, with whom she loved spending time watching their various sports and activities. Arlene was preceded in death by her parents Charles and Dorothy Rouse, in-laws Mel and Virginia Petersen, nephew Greg Owens, and sister-in-law Linda Rouse. Arlene is survived by her husband Gary Petersen, siblings Charles Rouse, Louella Kessler (Lee), Irvin Rouse (Annette), and Penny Kagel (Dennis), children Robyn DeLorm, Ron Petersen (Robin), and Connie Nap (Jason), and her grandchildren Samantha Petersen, Jessica Petersen, Jaxon Nap, and Dakota Nap. She was blessed with the love of her nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews. A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, February 27th, 2013 at 2:30pm at the Faith Covenant Church, 1915 Washington Street, Sumner, WA, with a reception following at the Old Dieringer Gym, 1808 East Valley Hwy, Sumner, WA at approximately 4pm. Memorial donations may be made to the Good Samaritan Foundation, Sumner Community Food Bank, or Tacoma-Pierce County Chaplaincy