Dorothy Ellen “Petey” Peterson- Sargent embarked on her next journey Monday, June 22, 2020. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Her wish was that any memorial donations be directed to the Sgt. Bluff Museum or the Sgt. Bluff Helping Hands Pantry. Arrangements are under the direction of Waterbury Funeral Service of Sergeant Bluff.

Petey was born on a farm near Smithland, Iowa to Leroy “Pat” and Ellen (Olson) Peterson on March 19, 1930. She was a 1947 graduate of Sergeant Bluff High School. She married her high school sweetheart, Elbert “Sarge” Sargent, while he was home on leave from the Navy in 1948. They lived the majority of their early years in California, but always knew they would return home to Sergeant Bluff, when Sarge retired from his naval career.

The couple had two children, Patrick Sargent of Salix, IA. and Roxann Sargent-Beacom (Lloyd Crain) also of Salix. Petey was a dedicated Navy wife which often meant being both mother and father. She was a homemaker, P.T.A. member, artist, American Legion Auxiliary Post 662 member, and belonged to the Red Hats Society.

In 1986 Governor Branstad presented the Governor’s Volunteer Award to Petey and Sarge for their work on the Sgt. Bluff Senior Center. In 1989 they received the Sgt. Bluff Community Service Award, and in 1994 Petey was named Outstanding Senior Citizen by the Sgt. Bluff Kiwanis Club. Petey was a founding member of the Sgt. Bluff Historical Society Museum and cherished her community, it’s history, and it’s residents.

Petey loved to travel and was very proud of the fact she and Sarge visited all 50 states, as well as the Panama Canal, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean.

Left to remember her special life is her husband, children, nephew, Mike DeGeest (Kelly), nieces and nephews, and many, many friends.