Cleta Louise Petersen

Cleta Louise (Layman) Petersen passed away on Friday, February 13, 2026.  She was born in Springfield, MA, and grew up in Longmeadow, MA.  She was a resident of Hamilton, MA, and retired to Myrtle Beach, SC in 1997.  Cleta eventually moved to Covenant Towers in Myrtle Beach, SC, where she made many friends.

Cleta was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Myrtle Beach.  She enjoyed playing golf, Mah Jong, watching sports on TV, reading, and spending time with her friends.  She loved birds and loved watching them from her windows.

She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Christine and Karl Sanford of Salisbury, MA; Her daughter, Karen Petersen and partner Shawn Kretchmar of Barrington, NH; Her son and daughter-in-law, Edward and Jennifer Petersen of Groveland, MA; Her sister-in-law, Marie Layman of Wayland, MA.  She is also survived by six grandchildren: Philip, Adrienne, Stephen, Siobhan, Joshua, Benjamin, and great-grandchildren Arianna, Abby, Charlie, Willow, and McKenzie. Cleta is survived by beloved nieces and nephews as well.

Cleta was predeceased by her loving husband, Arnold Niel Petersen, her parents, Lee Roy Layman and Mary Jane (Carr) Layman; her sister, Mary-Jean (Layman) Karpovich Zemba; and her brother, Lee R. Layman.

“What we have once enjoyed deeply we can never lose. All that we love deeply becomes a part of us," Helen Keller

Mrs. Petersen is entrusted to Kelvin F. Lewis, the funeral director, and the Lewis Crematory & Funeral Home staff of Myrtle Beach, SC. (843) 294-0011.        

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