Courtney "Corey" Rose Petersen

Born to Tyler and Bethany Stowe in Dearborn, Michigan, on September 9, 1981, Corey grew up in the Des Moines area with her two older sisters, Melissa and Michelle. Her love of fitness began with running cross country and track in middle school and followed her throughout her life.

Corey graduated from West Des Moines’ Valley High School in 1999. She continued her education at Iowa State University, where she joined the Marine Corps Reserves. After 9/11, she left ISU and increased her commitment to serving her country by joining the active reserve program, and ultimately transferring to full active duty, where she achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant. In 2004, while remaining on active duty, she returned to Iowa State University to finish her Bachelor of Science in Exercise and Sports Science with an emphasis in cardiac rehabilitation, graduating in 2007.

Corey met Major Bradley Michael Petersen in a summer MECEP program and their “summer fling” never stopped. They were married in a courthouse wedding on October 7, 2006 and then again on March 15, 2008 in front of family and friends, celebrating with a party no one will ever forget. Together, Corey and Brad brought fun and easy conversation wherever they went, traveling regularly and frequently hosting a wide circle of friends at their houses for murder mystery and holiday parties. She was the love of his life.

Corey was widely admired for her determination and resiliency after an accident left her paralyzed in 2007. She lived a life of triumph, not tragedy, pivoting to becoming a rock star foster mom to dogs, adopting out an incredible 179 beloved furry friends through partnerships with Good Karma, AZ Chihuahua, AZ Small Dogs, Animal Rescue League of Iowa and Second Chance Dog Rescues. Each of the pups was cherished with their picture added to her “dog wall”. She continued to be an extraordinary athlete by transitioning to handcycle and pushrim races, competing in frequent marathons throughout the U.S. and around the world. Whenever Corey completed a race, achieved a new personal best, or crossed a finish line, she was quick to thank Brad and others in the background who supported her athletic endeavors. The family expresses great gratitude to Achilles Freedom team and Team Semper Fi for supporting her athletic ambitions with these experiences, but most of all, the incredible friendships they led to.

Corey was preceded in death by both parents and is survived by her husband, Brad Petersen, sisters Melissa (Jim) Prager and Michelle (Emil) Zahn, as well as her pups Nickie and Ellie.

To honor and remember her, informal gatherings to celebrate her life will be taking place in coming months in the cities she lived in, beginning on October 18th in Ankeny, Iowa. In lieu of flowers, we invite you to donate to Achilles International (https://www.achillesinternational.org), a cause close to her heart.