Elizabeth Agnes "Betty" Petersen, of Dixon, was born on September 20, 1940, in Grand Rapids, Michigan a daughter of Frank Carl and Isabell (Hall) Gerke and departed this life at 6:24 a.m., Monday, March 12, 2018, at her residence. Betty had attained the age of 77 years, 5 months, and 22 days.

Betty was united in marriage on January 23, 1961 at Elizabeth City, North Carolina to Karl H. Petersen. She was preceded in death by her parents and four brothers, Frank, Bernard, Terry and Phil.

Betty was a United States Army veteran having served in the Women's Army Corp for several years. She was a member of  St. Theresa's Catholic Church, Dixon and retired from Brown Shoe Company, Dixon as well as being a loving and devoted wife, mother and grandmother. Betty enjoyed knitting, crocheting, latch hook, crossword puzzles and baking.

Those left to mourn the passing of Betty include: her husband of 57 years, Karl Petersen; three daughters, Suzanne Mueller, Rhonda Trout and Teressa Fowler; one brother, Timothy Gerke; three sisters, Barbara Bowler, Margaret "Midge" Fisher and Patricia Gerke; nine grandchildren, Christine, Christian, Andreas, Kimberly, Karen, Julieanne, Sarah, William and Thomas; two great-grandchildren, Eric and Emma; and many other relatives and friends.