Arlene Petersen

Arlene Petersen, 101, of Newell died Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026, at Accura Healthcare in Aurelia.

Memorial services will take place Saturday, Feb. 7, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Newell. Burial will be in Zion Lutheran Cemetery. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Hope for Life, 800 Oneida St., Storm Lake, IA 50588. Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake is in charge of the arrangements.

Neva Arlene Morse was born on June 12, 1924, in Grant Township in Buena Vista County. Her parents were Warren Calvin Morse and Georgia Olive Williams Morse. Her siblings were Norton Edward, Lois Adelia Morse Gutz, Franklin Calvin, Ivan Wayne, Mervin and Wilma Jean Hahn.

Arlene met Aaron Edward Buchholz while going to Walther League Youth Group at Zion Church. She was engaged at 16 years old. On Feb. 6, 1944, she married Aaron at Zion Church when she was 19 years old and Aaron was 21 years old. They lived on the acreage by the Zion Church and farmed. Arlene and Aaron were blessed with four children: Bonnie Ann, Richard Aaron, Michael William and Anthony Warren. Aaron passed away in December 1963 from a coronary heart attack. Following Aaron’s passing, Arlene worked as a childcare provider.

Arlene met Ralph Arrow Petersen and they were united in marriage on July 23, 1968, at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Newell. Together, they enjoyed trips to Chicago, Colorado, Arizona and Montana. Arlene’s son Richard passed away on Feb. 21, 1987, and son Michael passed away on Dec. 9, 2009. Her husband Ralph passed away in November 1990.

In her free time, Arlene enjoyed crocheting, putting together puzzles, sewing, gardening and canning. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

Arlene is survived by her children: Bonnie Worthan of Broomfield, Colo.; Tony (Melinda) Buchholz of Newell; sister Jean Hahn of Riverton, Wyo.; grandchildren: Grant (Traci) Worthan of Broomfield, Colo.; Brooke Worthan of Broomfield, Colo.; Eric Buchholz of Stoughton, Wis.; Rachel (Ryan) Stavens of Wyoming, Minn.; Brett (Alicia) Buchholz of Ames; Chad (Danielle) Buchholz of Newell; great-grandchildren: Zach Worthan; Josh and Jessie Worthan; Donnie and Amelia Stavens; Josiah, Micah, Anna and Lydia Buchholz; Tate, Booker and Dallas Buchholz; Jackson Buchholz; daughter-in-law Rosemary Buchholz of Stoughton, Wis.; sister-in-law: Donna Morse of Ida Grove; nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Warren and Olive; husband Aaron Buchholz; second husband Ralph Petersen; sons, Richard Buchholz and Michael Buchholz; grandchildren, Erin Buchholz and Michelle Buchholz; brothers: Norton (Zelda) Morse, Frank (Vera) Morse, Ivan (Betsy) Morse and Mervin Morse; sister Lois (Gerhardt) Gutz; brother-in-law Ray Hahn; and son-in-law Dick Worthan.