Arlo Max Petersen
April 12, 1935 — July 18, 2023
Arlo Max Petersen, son of Harry A.P. and Helen (Barkman) Petersen was born on April 12, 1935, at his parent’s home in rural Shelby County, IA. Arlo attended both Jackson Township #1 and Polk Township #7 and graduated from Harlan High School in 1955. He was baptized and confirmed at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Jacksonville, IA.
Arlo was united in marriage to Delores Guth on June 14, 1959, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Irwin, Iowa. To this union two children were born: Jeff and Debra. Through the years, Arlo farmed, had beef and dairy cattle, raised ponies, worked a route for the creamery, helped at the sale barn, and drove a school bus for many years for the Irwin-Kirkman School District and later the Harlan District.
Arlo continued his father’s passion for raising ponies as the Petersen Pony Farm. Over the years he attended many county fairs, parades, Kimballton’s corn husking to operate the elevator, Greenridge Steam Shows to operate the corn grinder and treadmill, Carsten Farm Days to operate the corn grinder, IASC Shows, Aksarben, as well as trail rides and overnight rides. Over the years, Arlo broke many horses to ride as well as single and double hitches. His CB handle was even “Pony Pete”. Over time, he became known for his single and double hitches and blue wagon made by his nephew Darwin. He had many teams including Smokey and Beauty, mules: Holly and Molly, Blue and Bell, Midnight and Cocoa, Sugar and Honey, and his most recent and most cherished Duke and Diamond, also known on the farm as the Busch Light Team. Arlo loved to show off his ponies and was always willing to give kids a ride around in the wagon. When the time came, Arlo loved supporting all his kids and grandkids in the 4-H program as they showed horses and single hitches. Arlo wanted any kid that had a passion to be around a horse the opportunity to do so and rooted for them the whole way. Arlo truly loved the Shelby County Fair and attended 87 years worth until this year. Arlo was honored to receive the Shelby County Fair Hall of Fame Award in 2008 as well as many ribbons and trophies throughout the years. The Arlo Petersen Family was awarded the 4-H Family of the Year Award in 2009 and Arlo received the Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame Award in 2019 at the Iowa State Fair.
When not around the ponies, Arlo enjoyed coon hunting, camping and fishing, attending sporting events to support the youth, eating breakfast at Hy-Vee to visit, driving around the countryside seeing what there was to see, and watching Gunsmoke, Bonanza and Lone Ranger on TV. Arlo was a member of the Shelby County Saddle Club, Appaloosa Club and Bethlehem Lutheran Church.
For the past four years, Arlo was a resident at Elm Crest Retirement Community. To many, he was known as “Cowboy” because you could always find him in one of his button down Wrangler shirts and black cowboy hat. He enjoyed giving staff a hard time and making them laugh.
Arlo passed away peacefully on July 18, 2023, attaining the age of eighty-eight years, three months, and six days. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife Delores, siblings Nadine Campbell and Harry Petersen, Jr.
He is survived by his son Jeff (Laurie) Petersen of Kimballton, Iowa; Deb (Kevin) Rutherford of Harlan, Iowa; grandchildren, Kristen (Brad) Borkowski, Ashlen Rutherford, Jay (Emma) Petersen, Nick Petersen (Nadia Baxter), great-grandchildren, Colton Rutherford, Paxton Borkowski, Jonas Petersen; sister, Charlotte Andersen of Harlan, Iowa; nieces and nephews; many other relatives and friends.
Arlo was united in marriage to Delores Guth on June 14, 1959, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Irwin, Iowa. To this union two children were born: Jeff and Debra. Through the years, Arlo farmed, had beef and dairy cattle, raised ponies, worked a route for the creamery, helped at the sale barn, and drove a school bus for many years for the Irwin-Kirkman School District and later the Harlan District.
Arlo continued his father’s passion for raising ponies as the Petersen Pony Farm. Over the years he attended many county fairs, parades, Kimballton’s corn husking to operate the elevator, Greenridge Steam Shows to operate the corn grinder and treadmill, Carsten Farm Days to operate the corn grinder, IASC Shows, Aksarben, as well as trail rides and overnight rides. Over the years, Arlo broke many horses to ride as well as single and double hitches. His CB handle was even “Pony Pete”. Over time, he became known for his single and double hitches and blue wagon made by his nephew Darwin. He had many teams including Smokey and Beauty, mules: Holly and Molly, Blue and Bell, Midnight and Cocoa, Sugar and Honey, and his most recent and most cherished Duke and Diamond, also known on the farm as the Busch Light Team. Arlo loved to show off his ponies and was always willing to give kids a ride around in the wagon. When the time came, Arlo loved supporting all his kids and grandkids in the 4-H program as they showed horses and single hitches. Arlo wanted any kid that had a passion to be around a horse the opportunity to do so and rooted for them the whole way. Arlo truly loved the Shelby County Fair and attended 87 years worth until this year. Arlo was honored to receive the Shelby County Fair Hall of Fame Award in 2008 as well as many ribbons and trophies throughout the years. The Arlo Petersen Family was awarded the 4-H Family of the Year Award in 2009 and Arlo received the Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame Award in 2019 at the Iowa State Fair.
When not around the ponies, Arlo enjoyed coon hunting, camping and fishing, attending sporting events to support the youth, eating breakfast at Hy-Vee to visit, driving around the countryside seeing what there was to see, and watching Gunsmoke, Bonanza and Lone Ranger on TV. Arlo was a member of the Shelby County Saddle Club, Appaloosa Club and Bethlehem Lutheran Church.
For the past four years, Arlo was a resident at Elm Crest Retirement Community. To many, he was known as “Cowboy” because you could always find him in one of his button down Wrangler shirts and black cowboy hat. He enjoyed giving staff a hard time and making them laugh.
Arlo passed away peacefully on July 18, 2023, attaining the age of eighty-eight years, three months, and six days. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife Delores, siblings Nadine Campbell and Harry Petersen, Jr.
He is survived by his son Jeff (Laurie) Petersen of Kimballton, Iowa; Deb (Kevin) Rutherford of Harlan, Iowa; grandchildren, Kristen (Brad) Borkowski, Ashlen Rutherford, Jay (Emma) Petersen, Nick Petersen (Nadia Baxter), great-grandchildren, Colton Rutherford, Paxton Borkowski, Jonas Petersen; sister, Charlotte Andersen of Harlan, Iowa; nieces and nephews; many other relatives and friends.
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