Petrea Arno

July 3, 1938-May 26, 2022

Petrea “Trea” Helene Madsen was born July 3, 1938, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to Viggo and Stella Madsen. She graduated St. Francis High School in 1955 at age 16 and went on to Northwestern College in Minneapolis, where she met Raymond Arno. In 1957, at 18, they were married. Rae Marie was born in 1958 and Petrea graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Music in 1959.

After college Ray and Petrea took their first pastorate in Wisconsin where in 1960, Michael James was born. That December, they drove a VW bus up the AlCan Highway to Homer and then went to pastor a church in King Cove. In 1962 they returned to Homer, where Ray pastored the Christian Community Church (CCC) and founded the Alaska Village Missions, then the Alaska Bible Institute (ABI). Peter Jon was born in Homer in 1963 and Faye Michelle in Soldotna in 1965.

Petrea supported her husband’s calling by raising his children, playing piano and organ for worship services, and doing the secretarial duties of CCC and ABI, especially during the early years. She taught Christian Education and Music at ABI and ministered as needed to students, staff, church members and the community. Petrea also taught piano to many, some of whom playing is still a huge part of their lives.

Petrea passed away peacefully at home on May 26, 2022. She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband of 64 years. She is survived by her brother, Peter Madsen of Arizona and his family; four children; nine grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren.

A memorial will be held in her honor at the Alaska Bible Institute on Sunday, June 26, 2022 at 2 p.m.