Shirley Mae Leonard Petersen 1938-2002

PETERSEN, LEONARD, DONAHUE, HIGGINS, ARNDT, SWANSON, MURRAY, CLAYTON, COOK, ROUSE

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 11/24/2011 at 01:28:21

Shirley Petersen
Estherville – Funeral services for Shirley M. [Mae] Petersen, 63, of Estherville will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, May 22 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Estherville with Father Jerry Cosgrove officiating. Interment will be held at St. Patrick’s Catholic Cemetery in Estherville. She died on Saturday, May 18, 2002 at her home in Estherville.

Visitation will be held from 4-8 p.m. on Tuesday, May 21at Henry-Olson-Fuhrman Funeral home in Estherville with a vigil service at 7 p.m.

Shirley was born on Nov. 4, 1938 in Emmetsburg, the daughter of John and Bernette (Donahue) Leonard. She received her education in the Emmetsburg Catholic Schools graduating in 1957.

On June 21, 1958, she was united in marriage to Delbert Petersen in Emmetsburg, Iowa. After their marriage the couple moved to Estherville. Shirley was employed at the Majestic Café, did babysitting and most recently was employed for the Estherville School System retiring in 2001 after 26 years of service.

Shirley enjoyed crocheting, reading, camping and most especially time spent with her family and grandchildren.

Shirley was a member of the St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Altar and Rosary Society, Catholic Daughters and the V.F.W Auxiliary.

She is survived by her husband, Delbert; five children, Corene Higgins and her husband, Joe; all of Estherville; Renetta Arndt and her fiancé, Phil Swanson of Dunnell, Minn.; Dennis Petersen of Estherville; Marilyn Murray and her husband, Tony, Doug Petersen and his wife, Susan all of Graettinger; her grandchildren, Joshua Arndt; Jacob Higgins; Jodie and Brandon Murray; Douglas John Petersen, Dylan Petersen, Dustin Petersen; her step-grandchildren: Shantal Clayton, Tyson Clayton, Toby Murray; four great-grandchildren; her mother, Bernette Leonard of Emmetsburg; six brothers and sisters, Jeanette Cook and her husband, Kenneth of Waverly; Pat Leonard and his wife, Joann of Denver, Colo.; Tom Leonard and his wife, Sue of Emmetsburg; Gary Leonard and his wife, Sandy of Emmetsburg; Mike Leonard and special friend, Jennifer of Spencer; Debra Rouse and her husband, Rick of Emmetsburg and also by many nieces and nephews.

Shirley was preceded in death by her father and one son, Delray. (Estherville Daily News, Estherville, IA, May 20, 2002)