Leona Petersen

Leona Sophia Petersen, 94, of Avoca, Iowa, and formerly of Atlantic, Iowa, passed away Sunday, September 14, 2014, at the Avoca Nursing & Rehab Center in Avoca.

She was born November 19, 1919, to Thomas and Mary (Christiansen) Harmsen Northwest of Atlantic, Iowa. Leona went to school through the 8th grade at Lincoln Township. On February 21, 1939, she was united in marriage to Vernon Petersen at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Atlantic. They lived southeast of Walnut, west of Hancock and south of Lyman before retiring in 1964 and moving to Atlantic. They were married 66 years before Vernon passed away on May 15, 2005.


Leona was a member of the Noble Center Methodist Church south of Lyman, Iowa. She was active in the women's circle at the church. Leona loved working on crafts and attended the Atlantic craft shows. She delighted in gardening and traveling to see her grandchildren. She was an excellent cook and reveled in family gatherings, especially during the holidays.

Leona is survived by her sons, Darrel (Diana) Petersen of Omaha, NE, Gene (Judeen) Petersen of Buena Vista, CO and Gail Petersen of New Lenox, IL; sons-in-law, Mark Collins of Las Vegas, NV and Ronald Klusaw of Plattsmouth, NE; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren; other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Vernon; parents, Thomas and Mary Harmsen; sisters and brothers, Emma Wiechmann, Pauline Walter, Nicholas Harmsen, Marie Christiensen, John Harmsen, Laura Ingwersen Sick, Ann Gardner Petersen, Clara Boesel, Harry Harmsen, Paul Harmsen, Betty (Mary Jane) Holtz and Ester Mutum Holtz; daughters, Sharon Collins and Karen Klusaw; and daughter-in-law, Arlene Petersen.

Visitation with family will be from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m., on Thursday, September 18, 2014, at Hockenberry Family Care in Atlantic, Iowa.

Memorial services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, September 19, 2014, also at Hockenberry Family Care in Atlantic, Iowa. Luncheon will be served after the service in Hockenberry's
community room followed by interment of ashes in the Walnut Cemetery.

Hockenberry Family Care in Atlantic, Iowa, is in charge of the arrangements.