Aryllis Arlene Petersen

Aryllis Arlene Petersen, 86 years young, lifelong resident of Ashippun, passed away surrounded by loved ones at Oconomowoc Memorial Hospital on July 31, 2026. She was born October 12, 1939, to Merlin and Lorraine Rose. Aryllis was baptized on October 27, 1939, and confirmed in the Lutheran faith on May 31, 1953. As a 1956 graduate of Watertown High School, Aryllis spoke fluent German, was an excellent student and avid reader. She also loved music and playing the accordion.

On December 4, 1957, she married Gordon Petersen. Aryllis joined her husband in Germany where he served as a Sergeant in the US Army. She translated and taught German language on the military base and together, they formed wonderful friendships that lasted throughout their married life. After returning home, her greatest joy was being a homemaker on J-ARGO Farm that she shared with her husband. Aryllis had huge flower and vegetable gardens, loved baking, cooking, canning, sewing and quilting, and raising her 4 children. She enjoyed attending all of her children’s sporting events, school concerts and activities.

A member of Zion Lutheran Church for most of her life, she served on the church council, held the position of Church Secretary for many years, taught Sunday School, and worked on various committees and church projects. She especially loved creating Chrismon ornaments for the beautiful Christmas trees, cooking and serving at the Ice Cream socials, and the Oktoberfest celebrations where she “welcomed” everyone in German. “Guten tag!” She also loved singing in the church choir as a soprano. Aryllis had many talents including her love for quilting. In fact, one of her beautiful quilts is still displayed at Zion Lutheran in Ashippun. She enjoyed quilting with the ladies of Zion, and years later with the women at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Ocononowoc, where she was a member. Toward the end of her life she would watch Hales Corners Lutheran Church online.

Aryllis was a dedicated member of the Dodge County Fireside Homemaker’s Club, where they organized community service projects and fundraising. She was also a 4-H leader for County Line 4-H Club where she taught sewing. After raising her family, Aryllis was a teller at the Bank of Ashippun, earned her Real Estate license working in the Watertown area, and enjoyed baking at Upper Crust. Throughout their married life, Aryllis and Gordon were members of a monthly Card Club playing sheepshead with dear, lifelong friends…and with those friends and many others, she enjoyed polka dancing with the love of her life.

Aryllis was a proud American and was a dedicated worker at the voting polls for the Town of Ashippun. In her younger years, she volunteered at Ashippun Elementary School in the Health Room. Her interests also included crossword puzzles, TV game shows, and listening to country, gospel and polka music. She loved Ancestry and was dedicated to researching the family tree going back generations.

Aryllis is survived by her children, Jody (Ivan) Thompson, Jay Petersen, Jana Petersen and Jeff Petersen; grandchildren Kirstin (Brian) Dorn and their daughters Charlotte and Rosalyn; Kelsey (Cody) Bokath and their sons Gage and Brantley; and Tyler Petersen; brother Harold (Shelby) Rose, brother Donald (Lori Carter) and sister Bernice (Tom) Sheehan; brother in law Allen (MaryLee) Petersen, sister in law MaryEllen Marquardt; Luke Thompson and extended family, nieces and nephews. Aryllis is preceded in death by her loving husband, Gordon; her parents; brother in law Warren and sister in law Charlene Petersen; brother in law Roger Marquardt; mother and father in law, Walden and Bernice Petersen.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be written out to: Lutheran Home of Oconomowoc - Shorehaven. As a recent resident at Shorehaven, Aryllis enjoyed daily activities, music, and meaningful worship services in her last months.

A Celebration of Life for Aryllis will take place on Friday, August 7, 2026, at Pagenkopf Funeral Home (2228 N. Silver Maple Lane, Oconomowoc, WI 53066). Visitation from 9:00-11:00 am with a service to follow at 11:00 am. A luncheon will be held at 12 pm, followed by a family burial in the afternoon.