Arlene Helen Peterson

MCFARLAND/MADISON-Arlene Peterson, of McFarland and Madison, passed away on Sunday, July 17, 2016, at Stoughton Hospital. She was born on Dec. 28, 1934, at home in Eau Claire, the daughter of John and Helen (Mehagan) Colombe. Arlene was the youngest of five children, Beverly, John, Tom and Bill. In 1942, she moved with her mother, sister, Bev, and brother, Bill to San Diego, Calif. Her mother passed away in 1944. In 1945, Arlene moved to Kenosha to live with her father and step-mother. She graduated from Wilmot High School in 1952. Arlene attended LPN school in Kenosha and worked at Kenosha Hospital for a year. She moved back to Eau Claire in 1954 to attend Luther Hospital School of Nursing and graduated in 1957. Arlene was employed as an RN at Mendota State Hospital and met her future husband, Rod Peterson. They were married on Oct. 19, 1957. In 1960, Arlene and Rod bought Golden Age Nursing Home in Madison. Arlene was one of only two RN's employed in nursing homes at that time. In 1960, they built and managed Karmenta Nursing Home. She then a bought a Diet Center franchise. Later, after her divorce in 1987, Arlene worked for the Red Cross for three years, and spent many hours volunteering at a school in Jamaica, and at St. Ann's Hospital and the Red Cross. She went on many mission trips to Costa Rica and Jamaica. Arlene loved to travel, especially to Jamaica. Her family was most important to her and she loved spending time with them at her cottage on Pleasant Lake. Arlene received a call from Campus Crusade and became a Christian along with her son and daughters. She was a member and attended Buckeye and Door Creek Church. Arlene is survived by daughter, Becky (Tom) Calvert and their children, Justin, Troy and Samantha; son, Jeff (Sherri) Peterson and children, Angie, Lisa and Jr.; daughter, Julie (Glen) Fischer and their children, Tyler, Noah and Marisa; six great-grandchildren; and siblings, Beverly Klose and Bill Colombe. She was preceded in death by her parents; and brothers, John and Tom Colombe. Funeral services will be held at DOOR CREEK CHURCH, 6602 Dominion Dr., Madison, at 11 a.m., on Monday, July 25, 2016, with Pastor Cal Steiner presiding. Visitation will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Dr., Madison, from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m., on Sunday, July 24, 2016, and at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Monday. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com. Gunderson East Funeral & Cremation Care 5203 Monona Drive (608)221-5420