Joan Marie Petersen 1942 - 2016

PETERSEN, RUNGE, BELFRAGE

Posted By: Connie Swearingen - volunteer (email)
Date: 4/25/2016 at 08:39:53

Sioux City Journal
24 April 2016

Joan Marie Petersen, age 73, died Friday, April 22, 2016, after courageously battling ovarian cancer.

Visitation will begin at 6:30 P.M. and a Celebration of Life service will be held at 7:30 P.M. at the United Methodist Church in Onawa, Iowa, on Tuesday, April 26, 2016, with Pastor Dennis Burns, officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Rush Family Care Service, Onawa, Iowa.

Joan Marie Belfrage was born on November 19, 1942, in Sioux City, Iowa, to John and Helen (Runge) Belfrage. She was raised on the family farm south of Sergeant Bluff, Iowa. After she graduated from high school, she met Charles Louis Petersen. They were married June 5, 1964, for 51 years. Two daughters were born to this union, Ruth Anne and Sarah Rosamond.

Joan and Charles began teaching at Maple Valley Community School where Joan taught elementary students and in 1971, they purchased the Onawa Florist. Joan helped manage the shop in Mapleton until they moved to Onawa in 1979. There they became caretakers of the historic Murphy House for ten years. During that time and through her retirement she continued to assist Charles at the flower shop.

Due to her passion for education, Joan started the Talented and Gifted Program at West Monona, a position she held for 24 years. Joan also believed in serving the greater community. She was a member of the Order of Eastern Star, Queen Esther Chapter and also served as Worthy Matron and in other offices for several years. She loyally served and held several offices in the PEO Sisterhood Chapter EF of Onawa, including president. While serving as a Talented and Gifted Coordinator, she belonged to the Iowa Talented and Gifted Association where she also served on the Speakers Bureau. She gave several presentations at the ITAG Conferences. Always a faithful servant, she served for many years on the Administrative Council at the Onawa United Methodist Church and various committees. She also mentored students and taught Sunday school.

Survivors include her husband, Charles Louis Petersen of Onawa, Iowa, and her two daughters, Ruth (Sherry Blevins) Petersen of Huntersville, North Carolina, and Sarah (Nicholas) Cordray of Syracuse, Nebraska; her two grandchildren, Nathanial and Samantha Cordray of Syracuse, Nebraska; her three brothers, John (Paula Cowen) Belfrage of Pierce, Colorado, Will (Cindy) Belfrage of Tekamah, Nebraska, Win (Eileen) Belfrage of Sergeant Bluff, Iowa; her two sisters, Julie Rowson of Onawa, Iowa, and Anita (LeRoy) Bray of Rosalie, Nebraska; and nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Helen (Runge) Belfrage.

Monona Obituaries maintained by Linda Ziemann.
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