Elaine Dorothy (Baedke) Petersen, the only child of Gustav Friedrich Paul and Christine Anne (Kelting) Baedke, was born June 30, 1934, on a farm near Graettinger, IA. She was baptized on July 22, 1934, and confirmed at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Graettinger on March 21, 1948. She was educated in rural schools through the seventh grade and completed her education at the Graettinger Public School, graduating in 1952.

    During her growing up years, Elaine helped on the family farm and also enjoyed activities that carried over into her adult years, such as fishing, roller skating and dancing. Following graduation, Elaine was employed at the Graettinger State Bank for 8 1/2 years as a teller and bookkeeper.

    While at a dance at the Woodcliff Ballroom, she met a tall, young man from Hartley, IA named Roy “Dick” Petersen, who she thought danced pretty well. Although a snowstorm nearly upset their wedding plans, they were married on Sunday, February 19, 1961, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Graettinger. The new couple settled on a farm southwest of Hartley and continued to live in rural Hartley while Roy was employed by area farmers. Their family would grow to include two children: Michael Roy and Anita Elaine.

    In January of 1976, Roy and Elaine gave up their rural setting and moved into the town of Hartley. In March of that year, Elaine began working at Community Memorial Hospital, initially as a ward clerk before transitioning to the business office. She was later a substitute in the food service department of the Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn schools.

    Other activities she enjoyed were gardening and raising flowers, particularly roses. She also enjoyed bowling, fishing trips, traveling and spending time with her family, especially her grandson, David. She was a member of Trinity United Church of Christ in Hartley.

    Following Roy’s death, she remained in their home until becoming a resident at Community Memorial Assisted Living. She then transferred to Community Memorial Health Center, where she passed from this life on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, at the age of 91. She was preceded in death by her husband, Roy; her parents, Gus and Christine Baedke; her son-in-law, Jay Schiphoff; and her “second son,” Terry Matthiesen.

    Left to cherish her memory are her son, Mike Petersen, of Hartley, IA; her daughter, Anita Schiphoff, of Harris, IA; her grandson, David Brinkman, of Milford, IA; and other relatives and friends.