Norma Thomas Bell Petersen

Norma Thomas Bell Petersen, the daughter of Herbert Leland and Betsy Lee Bell was born on February 5, 1923, in Boyd, Kentucky and died March 16, 2018, at the Friendship Home in Audubon, Iowa at the age of 95 years, 1 month, and 11 days.

She attended school in Berry, Kentucky graduating with the High School Class of 1941. She attended Miller Business School in Dayton, Ohio after which she worked as a Civil Service employee for the Air Service Command. When it merged with the Air Force Tactical Center in Orlando, Florida she transferred to the Orlando headquarters where she met her husband-to-be Merle.

They were united in marriage on December 2, 1944, at the First Baptist Church in Orlando. After Merle’s discharge from the Army Air Force, they moved to Audubon in March of 1947, where Merle was employed by Bagley Insurance and Abstract Company. Three children were born to this union: Gregory who lives in Tampa, Florida; Mona Nelson from Overland Park, Kansas; and Bradley from Omaha, Nebraska. Norma was a devoted church member and served as an elder in the Presbyterian Church. She was a member of the PEO sisterhood for more than 60 years and served as President of the local chapter for several years.

Norma was a treasured friend of many, volunteering for years at the Friendship Home. She was known for her humor, described by a friend as “feisty, spunky, and fun, making everyone feel good. She was full of spirit.” She was an outstanding cook and enjoyed entertaining in her home. Norma enjoyed the outdoors, including walking, fishing, and gardening. She appreciated her 25 years as a snowbird in Green Valley, Arizona. She loved the sunshine, liked golfing, and adored the beautiful Arizona sunrises and sunsets. Norma loved dancing, music, and the arts, but above all her family and friends. She would often recite the many Bible verses she had learned as a child in her rural Kentucky Presbyterian Church. Her favorite was from Proverbs:
(5) “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; (6) in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
Proverbs 3: 5-6 (NIV).

Norma was preceded in death by her husband Merle H. Petersen; her parents; and her sister Dorothy (Bell) and husband James Wood Allen.

Survivors include her children: Greg and wife Kathy Petersen of Tampa, Florida, Mona and husband Dr. Richard Nelson of Overland Park, Kansas, and Brad and wife Chris Petersen of Omaha, Nebraska; her grandchildren: Ben Myers and Dean Myers both of Addlestone, United Kingdom, Richard “Eric” and wife Regina Nelson of Chatham, New Jersey, Anna and husband Blake Wilt of Leawood, Kansas, Laura and husband Kurt Bolgen of Melrose, Massachusetts, Elyse Nelson and husband Joseph Costa of New York City, New York, Jennifer and husband Joseph Heieck of Omaha, Nebraska, Matthew and wife Elizabeth Petersen of Edmonds, Washington; her great grandchildren: Reese Nelson, William Nelson, and Elle Nelson all of Chatham, New Jersey, Greyson Wilt of Leawood, Kansas, Benjamin Heieck of Omaha, Nebraska, and Jack Bolgen of Melrose, Massachusetts; her nephew: Gary and wife Lana Allen of Blair, Nebraska; other relatives and friends.

The family will meet with friends on Friday evening March 23, 2018, from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. with a prayer service at 7:00 P.M. at the Kessler Funeral Home in Audubon, Iowa. Funeral services will be conducted by Pastor Kelley Pedersen on Saturday, March 24, 2018, at 1:30 P.M. at the First Presbyterian Church in Audubon, Iowa. Interment will be in the Maple Grove Cemetery in Audubon. A memorial fund has been established and memorials are preferred to the Norma Petersen Nursing Scholarship Fund in care of the Friendship Home, 714 North Division Street, Audubon, Iowa 50025. The casket bearers will be Joseph Costa, Matthew Petersen, R. Eric Nelson, Lonnie Christoffersen, Randy Christoffersen, and Blake Wilt.