Willa Petersen

Willa Petersen, 89, of Walnut, Iowa, passed away at her home Monday, November 15, 2021, with her family by her side.

Willa Charlyne was born on August 23, 1932, to Lester “Bill” Raymond and Mabel Leona (Southall) Croft in Walnut, Iowa. She graduated from Walnut High School in 1949. Willa moved to Omaha where she worked as a receptionist and later a secretary at United Petroleum. At night she attended Van Sant Commercial School, in addition to taking commercial courses at Omaha University.

Willa married her high school sweetheart, Bruce Petersen on March 21, 1954, at the First Presbyterian Church in Walnut. The couple made their home on a farm south of Walnut. They had forty wonderful years together until he passed away in 1994. She was grateful to have met neighbor, Anita Kohlscheen Carswell who became her dearest friend. After their spouses passed away, Willa and Anita spent several years taking trips to interesting places in Iowa, Missouri and Minnesota.

She worked at Arndt Electric in Walnut, and also a number of years in Atlantic at Cook Pharmacy, Gift World, Tanner’s Fashions and Bonnesen’s 5 & 10 Store; working until the age of 87. Willa loved every minute of working retail; Main Street Atlantic became her second home. She delighted to meet and visit with all the customers; many becoming friends through the years. Her joyful countenance made the day of everyone she encountered. As a breast cancer survivor, she volunteered for many years with the Cass County Relay for Life. She took great pride in caring for her home and enjoyed keeping it looking beautiful. Her personal style was a constant “feminine classy” with an affinity for lace, frills and pink.

Bruce and Willa were the parents of three sons, Jeff, Brett and Mark. Willa always told others she felt very blessed to have such wonderful sons who did everything for her; saying she couldn’t have ever gotten along without them.

Willa loved her life and cherished all her family and friends; she tried to live everyday as a happy day. She will be deeply missed by her sons, Brett (Fran) Petersen of Walnut and Mark (Susie) Petersen of Avoca; twelve grandchildren (whom she was very proud of along with their spouses and children), Jody (Brian), Marty, Erin, Jamey (Dana), Joe (Kim), Trisha (Jason), Kacie (Jamie), Brooke (Josh), Lacey (Chris), Lacie (Andy), Gabrielle (Jeremiah) and Felesha (Jeremy); many great-grandchildren; and sister, Fran Glissmann.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Bill and Mabel Croft; husband, Bruce; and son, Jeff Petersen.

Open visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, November 18th at Roland Funeral Home in Atlantic followed by visitation with the family present from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, November 19th at the First Presbyterian Church in Walnut. The service will be available via Facebook Live on the First Presbyterian Church of Walnut, Iowa page and will also be recorded and available on the funeral home website by noon on Saturday. Burial will be held at a later date in the Layton Township Cemetery in Walnut.

Memorials may be directed to the Cass County Relay for Life and the Walnut Fire Department.

Roland Funeral Service is caring for Willa’s family and her arrangements. Condolences may be left at www.rolandfuneralservice.com.