Arnhild Schipke Petersen

Arnhild (Ann) Petersen, a longtime Stevensville, MD, resident, passed away Thursday, July 6 from natural causes at the age of 82. Arnhild was born on April 24, 1941, in Neumarkt, Schlesien, Germany, to the late Ernst Paul Richard Schipke and Margarethe Helene Emilie Buettner. She, along with her mother and four brothers and sisters, fled from their home in Schlesien as the Russian army was approaching in January of 1945 and found refuge in Bavaria. Her father, a German officer, was captured by the Russians and made a POW, but was later released and was able to be reunited with the family in Bavaria. Arnhild grew up in the town of Lindau on Lake Constance in southern Bavaria. She attended vocational school where she learned the trade of dental assistant. Later she became an executive secretary at the Landratsamt in Lindau. In 1963, she married her American pen pal, Bruce, who was a naval officer. After tours of duty in Guam where their first son, Jan-Erik, was born and in Naples, Italy, where their second son, Sven, was born, the couple settled in Frankfurt, Germany in 1969 where Bruce had accepted a position with Neckura, a subsidiary of Nationwide Insurance. From there the family moved to Worthington, OH, in 1978 and eventually settled on Kent Island in the community of Bay City in 1986. Throughout the several moves, Arnhild was always active, and her initiative and flexibility resulted in her holding several positions including legal clerk, certified fitness instructor, certified social worker, and store manager. She was a success in all of these endeavors. Arnhild loved gardening which was reflected in the beauty of the garden surrounding her home in Bay City. She was a very active person and enjoyed bike riding as well as yoga. An avid traveler, she and Bruce visited over 40 countries during their marriage. Arnhild was an extremely beautiful person whose presence always lit up a room. But without a doubt, her greatest attribute was her kindness and thoughtfulness towards others. Arnhild is survived by her husband of over 60 years, Bruce; her two sons and their families, Jan-Erik and his wife Dianna, and Sven and his wife Sumiyo; granddaughters, Sarah and Kristina; and nephews and nieces in both the United States and Germany. Arnhild’s life will be celebrated by her family members in a private ceremony as she is laid to rest.

Arnhild Schipke Petersen

April 24, 1942 - July 6, 2023