Carol J. Petersen

Carol Joan Petersen passed away June 12th, 2023 at the age of 81 after a yearlong battle with Leukemia. She was surrounded by her granddaughter, great granddaughter and the caring team of Pathways Hospice and went home to her God with a smile on her face. Carol was born in Harlan, Iowa on January 17th , 1942 to Orville and Jean Palmer (Pullman). She grew up in the small farming community, often sewing and babysitting for the surrounding neighbors. She met her husband Carl Petersen in Harlan, and they were married on February 14th, 1959. They gave birth to three children, Gale, Lori, and Curtis and moved to Fort Collins, CO in 1965. Carol and Carl were two entrepreneurs who established several businesses in Fort Collins and Northern Colorado including a heavy equipment rental store, a costume rental store and a local construction company for single family homes. Their heart for raising kids in a nurturing home extended far beyond their own children. During their earlier years of marriage Carol and Carl fostered 15 infants and 2 teens, who all found their forever homes. Carol was also foundational in raising her three grandchildren, often picking them up from school and providing after-school activities such as helping with homework, baking cookies and arts and crafts. Carol had many hobbies and passions she enjoyed throughout her entire life. She loved being in the kitchen and baking goodies for friends and neighbors. Her in-home business “Sew Anyway” would keep her busy in the sewing room fixing or altering clothes for the costume shop, her family, and neighbors. When she wasn’t busy working, she could be found with Carl traveling the country in their motorhome, fishing with her kids and grandkids at one of the many reservoirs or Colorado lakes, or watching and often cursing her favorite baseball team: the Colorado Rockies. Carol was preceded in death by her parents Jean and Orville, her husband, Carl; several of her siblings; her daughter, Gale and her son, Curtis. She is survived by her sister Linda of Fort Collins, CO; her Daughter Lori Malan and husband David Szantos Evans, CO; Grandsons: Michael Malan and wife Laura Malan of Colorado Springs, CO and Matthew Malan of Murray, KY; Granddaughter Lachelle Dugan and husband Jeff Dugan of Fort Collins, CO; and great-granddaughters: Emery, Kaelin and Jamie. A Celebration of Life for Carol, her daughter Gale, and son Curt is planned for September 16th from 11am-1pm at Spring Canyon Community Park located at 2626 W. Horsetooth Road, Fort Collins, CO. A group prayer will be held at 12PM and light refreshments will be served, and all are welcome to join to share stories and each other’s company. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you donate your time or funds to a cause in the community that calls on your heart as Carol often did.

Tributes

Carol J. Petersen

January 17, 1942 - June 12, 2023