Janet Dianne Petersen

Janet Dianne Petersen, age 90, of Atlantic, Iowa, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, July 28, 2024, at Heritage House in Atlantic, Iowa. Jan was born June 4, 1934, in Dunlap, Iowa, to John and Henrietta (Cooney) Shields. She graduated from Atlantic High School in 1953. Jan was united in marriage to Max Petersen on December 19, 1954. They were blessed with three children.

Jan worked at JCPenney’s for many years and later as a packing specialist for Furn Moving. Through the years, she enjoyed reading, gardening, and traveling with Max and friends. She also enjoyed her volunteer work with the auxiliary at Cass County Memorial Hospital. Her greatest joy was spending time with her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and many friends.

Jan was preceded in death by her husband Max, daughter Diane (Petersen) Smith, grandson Scott Petersen, and grandson Greg Huddleston.
Jan is survived by her two sons, Steven (Sherri) Petersen of Elk Horn, NE, and Marty Petersen (Marcy Dorsey) of Atlantic, Iowa; Son-in-Law Kenn Smith of Bella Vista, AR; brothers Jerry Shields of Carroll, IA, and Tom Shields of San Marcos, CA; nine grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandson arriving soon; nieces and nephews; and other relatives and friends.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 3, 2024, at Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Atlantic, with Father Trevor Chicoine as the celebrant. Interment will follow the mass at the Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Cemetery. A reception will occur following the interment in the Parish Hall of the Saints Peter & Paul Church.

A Rosary service will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday before the mass, also held at the church.

Memorials may be directed to the Janet Petersen Family to be designated to many of her local organizations and charities. They may be mailed to the Schmidt Family Funeral Home P.O. Box 523, Atlantic, IA 50022.

Arrangements are handled with the Schmidt Family Funeral Home of Atlantic, IA.