Arlene Peterson
CRYSTAL FALLS, MI-Arlene E. Peterson, 80, of Crystal Falls, passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 13, 2025, surrounded by her loving family, at the Iron County Medical Care Facility.
Arlene was born at home, on November 15, 1944, in Benzonia, Michigan, daughter of the late Roy and Mary (Shively) Hanmer. She was raised in Benzonia and graduated from Benzie High School with the Class of 1962. She went on to pursue a career in nursing, graduating in 1966, from St. Luke’s School of Nursing in Marquette, as a Registered Nurse. While attending St. Luke’s, Arlene met and fell in love with a handsome young DNR Conservation Officer, David A. Peterson, who lived directly across the street from the Wallace Nurse’s Residence, on W. Magnetic Street. Arlene and David were united in marriage on November 5, 1966. Over the years, they raised their family in several communities across the Upper Peninsula, including Sagola, Channing, Marquette, Champion and Crystal Falls.
Arlene began her nursing career at Paul Oliver Memorial Hospital in Frankfort. Soon after getting married, she was employed as Director of Nursing at the Crystal Manor in Crystal Falls. When her husband David was transferred to Marquette County with the DNR, Arlene continued to work at St. Luke’s Hospital in Marquette and Bell Memorial Hospital in Ishpeming. When an injury prevented her from continuing her work at a hospital, she redirected per passion into volunteering as a hospice nurse in Iron County.
In addition, Arlene was an avid antique dealer and appraiser, having a shop of her own, for several years. She was an excellent cook and enjoyed crossword puzzles, caring for plants, reading, trivia, canning, fishing and hunting in her earlier years and was a lifetime fan of The Detroit Tigers.
She was resilient to the core. Her life was filled with compassion and dedication to serving others whether as a patient, family member, friend or neighbor. She will be dearly missed by all who loved her.
Arlene treasured time spent with family and friends, especially visits from her grandchildren. She cherished the memories made with generations of family, at the special place on Stella Lake. She was also a member of Christ United Methodist Church in Crystal Falls.
Arlene is survived by two daughters, Ingrid (Greg) VanderLende of Rockford and Gretchen (Jamie) Carlson of Crystal Falls; four grandchildren, Trent (Kerry) VanderLende, Austin Carlson, Ericka VanderLende and Kayla Carlson; two brothers, Art (Shirley) Hanmer of Fort Mohave, Arizona, and John (Barbara) Hanmer of Benzonia; and many nephews and nieces.
Arlene was preceded in death by her loving husband of 53 years, David; her parents, Roy and Mary Hanmer; a brother, Dean Hanmer; a sister, Elaine Hammond and many sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law.
A special thank you to the staff of Iron County Medical Care Facility for their compassionate and attentive care, during the last few months.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, July 17 from 9:30 to 11:00 am at the Nash Funeral Home in Crystal Falls, MI. Funeral services will be at 11:00 am at the funeral home with Pastor Vicky Prewitt officiating, followed by a service conducted by The Upper Peninsula Nurses Honor Guard.
Burial and graveside services will be held in Marquette’s Park Cemetery, at a later date, where Arlene will be laid to rest next to her husband, David.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Christ United Methodist Church, 20 S. 5th Street, Crystal Falls, MI 49920, in Arlene Peterson’s memory.
Condolences to the family of Arlene Peterson may be expressed online at www.nashfuneral
