Jean Louise Petersen 1934-2012

PETERSEN WILSON BJAASTAD

Posted By: Connie Swearingen-Volunteer (email)
Date: 7/23/2012 at 11:44:22

Sioux City Journal
May 28, 2012

Jean Louise Petersen, 77, of Sergeant Bluff passed away on Friday, May 25, 2012 at a Sioux City care facility.

Per Jean’s wishes, she has been cremated, and a memorial service will be held 11 a.m. Wednesday at Morningside Lutheran Church in Sioux City. Graveside services will be 1:30 p.m. Thursday in Fairview Cemetery at Hayfield, Minn. Visitation will be 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, with a prayer service at 7 p.m., at the church. Waterbury Funeral Service is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences for the family may be made at www.waterburyfuneral serviceinc.com. To share memories or photos, the family has set up a group on Facebook.com called "Friends and Family of Jean Petersen."

Jean was born on Oct. 28, 1934, in Hayfield, Minn., the daughter of Reuben and Margaret (Wilson) Bjaastad. She attended Hayfield Community Schools and graduated with the class of 1952. While in school, she played in the school band and served as the drum majorette. She also was involved in the school chorus, class plays and was the valedictorian of her high school class.

She was united in marriage with Perry Petersen on Dec. 30, 1954, in Hayfield, Minn., and to this union four children were born.

The couple lived in Albert Lea, Minn., for three years before moving to Sergeant Bluff 23 years ago. Jean was a member of the Red Hat Society, a collector of Blue Danish plates, B&G plates and Dickens Christmas villages. She also worked in several jewelry and gift shops over the years.

She was a member of Morningside Lutheran Church, where she was involved in small church groups.

She is survived by her husband, Perry of Sergeant Bluff; her sons, Todd and his wife, Rina of Forest Park, Ill., and Tim and his wife, Janet of Seattle, Wash.; her daughters, Patricia Johnson of Bremen, Ga., and Lisa Lechtenberg and her husband, Gene of Spencer, Neb. She is also survived by her eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; one brother, Glen; and one sister-in-law, Ruth.

Memorials in Jean’s name may be made to the June E. Nylen Cancer Center in Sioux City, specifically for uterine sarcoma cancer research.