M. Irene Pettersen, 98, of Waterloo, Iowa, died Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2007, at Allen Memorial Hospital following a brief illness.

She was born Oct. 18, 1909, in Albert Lea, the daughter of John R. and Inga Christine (Weberg) Venem. She married the Rev. Clarence H. Pettersen and was a devoted helpmate as he served United Methodist Churches in Forest City, Webster City, Grace United Methodist Church in Waterloo and the Superintendency of the Davenport and Mason City Districts of the Church, all of which are in Iowa.

Mrs. Pettersen is survived by a son, Hugh Pettersen of Cedar Falls, Iowa; a brother, Richard Venem of Jesup, Iowa; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband; a daughter Wanda; a son, Omar; and three brothers, Adrian, Eugene and Alton.

Funeral services will be held Saturday at 9:30 a.m. at the Kearns, Huisman-Schumacher Chapel on Kimball in Waterloo and 2 p.m. at the United Methodist Church in Forest City, Iowa, with burial in Oakland Cemetery in Forest City.

Friends may call after 9 a.m. Saturday at the Funeral Home and after 1:30 p.m. Saturday at the United Methodist Church in Forest City.

Memorials may be directed to any church or the charity of the donor&8217;s choice. Condolences may be left at www.kearnsfuneralservice.com, (319)233-3146.