Arlis spent most of her childhood growing up on farms in the Manning and Aspinwall areas with her two older sisters, Maurine and Evelyn, and younger brother Bill. She attended various country schools in her primary years. Arlis began her high school years in Manning, but when the family moved in her senior year, she graduated with the class of 1949 in Denison, Iowa. Arlis began working at Builders Lumber and Supply in Denison as a bookkeeper. She developed a deep pride in being able to work and earn her own money for the first time. It was during this time that she met Leonard Petersen. They were married on April 24, 1950, at the Zion Lutheran Parsonage in Denison, Iowa. Their union would last more than 52 years.

Arlis and Leonard started their married life together in a small farmhouse south of Denison, and although times were hard, they were happy. Over the next decade, they would be blessed with seven children, Lynn, Lance, Lori, Lorene, Leanne, Leesa, and Layne. The years raising their family were filled with many extended family get-togethers and fun times.

Having many mouths to feed, she learned to enjoy cooking, gardening and canning, and baking special treats. Arlis always made beautifully decorated cakes for faith milestones and birthdays. The work of her soft hands created many lasting treasures for her family – embroidered blankets and pillows and crocheted Afghans for babies and graduations.

Arlis was proud of her children and the big family that surrounded her. She actively celebrated the lives of her 14 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren. Through the years, she was blessed to witness the baptisms, confirmations, graduations, and marriages of her family. Her family and friends were the center of her joy, and every written note was signed "Love Always."

"Vacation" at grandma and grandpa's house on the farm was always a special time, whether it was busting out some tunes in the kitchen with grandpa's harmonica or making cookies with grandma and eating homemade ice cream. Arlis captured the memories by creating a memory book for every grandchild. Even her great-grandchildren had a special and fun-filled bond with her - a rare blessing.

Once her family was raised, Arlis worked different jobs over the next several decades, including working at the Mapleton Sale Barn, Denison Sale Barn, Senior Center, COU School, Staley's Food Service, and Maple Heights Nursing Home until the age of 82. She took pride in her work and passed that strong work ethic down to her family.

Arlis enjoyed traveling to see her children and family members. She enjoyed trips to Hawaii and Las Vegas with Leonard and bus trips with her dear friend Florence Kepford. Over the years, Arlis also enjoyed her daily soap opera, a good book, crossword puzzles, her owl collection, and especially a hot cup of coffee. It didn't really matter if it was good, it just needed to be hot.

When family gathered, Arlis enjoyed the celebratory toast, stories around the table, and even some dancing. She also enjoyed an occasional trip to the casino and seemed to always have an extra dose of luck.

Arlis was a member of the St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Ute, Iowa.

Left to cherish her memory are her children, Lynn (Kerri) Petersen of Spokane, Washington, Lori (Byron) Christman of Ute, Iowa, Lorene (Dennis) Reimer of Denison, Iowa, Leanne (Darrell) Neu of Pueblo, Colorado, Leesa (Joel) Kuhlmann of Ute, Iowa, and Layne Petersen of Oakland Park, Florida; grandchildren, Mikenzie (Geoff) Howard, Chris Harrison, Jessica (Jason) Koch, Amber (Chad) Burnham, Lacey (Matt) Kinsella, Mindi (Brian) Sieren, Kim (Jeff) Codr, Jodi (Mike) South, Joshlyn Neu, Lindsey (Derek) Dibben, Andrea (Jake) Friedberg, Lee (Amy Rae) Kuhlmann, Jason (Ciera) Kuhlmann, and Amy Jo Kuhlmann; great-grandchildren, Rex, Serfina, Jackson, Nathan, Noah, Ellianna, Katelynn, Reese, Brenden, Avery, Jacob, Hannah, Hailey, Kinley, Aubrey, Mia, Eli, Ivy, Miles, Patience, Whitley, Madelynn, and Scarlett; sister-in-law, Betty (Dennis) Bilsten Kitt; and many other relatives, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Leonard Petersen; son, Lance Petersen; parents, Louie and Lillian Wegner; sisters, Maurine (Loren) Kepford, and Evelyn (Steve) Stephenson; brother, Bill (Jan) Wegner; parents-in-law, August and Mahala Petersen; brothers and sisters-in-law, Margaret (Marvine) Petersen, John (Loueen) Petersen, Marie (Ralph) Marten, Anna (Wilbur) Harm, Edmund (Marion) Petersen, Berniece (Carl) Segebart, and Earl (Barbara) Petersen.

A funeral service was 2 p.m. Monday, April 14, 2025, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Ute, Iowa, with Reverend Nathan Peitsch, officiating. A live stream of the service was posted on the Goslar Funeral Home website with Arlis' obituary. Burial followed in the Crawford Heights Cemetery, Denison, Iowa. Fellowship and a meal followed the burial at Boulders Conference Center, 2507 Boulders Drive, Denison, Iowa, 51442. A visitation was 12:30 to 2 p.m. Monday, April 14, 2025, at the church. Arrangements were under the direction of Goslar Funeral Home and Monuments, Onawa, Iowa.