Bonnie Lorraine Petersen

     Bonnie Lorraine Petersen, the daughter of Theodore and Fern (Miller) Thompson, was born August 27, 1928, at her parents’ home in Shelby County near Irwin, Iowa, and died January 29, 2023, at the Audubon County Memorial Hospital in Audubon, Iowa at the age of 94 years, 5 months, and 2 days.

     Bonnie was baptized and confirmed at the Methodist Church in Irwin. She attended the Irwin Community Schools graduating as the Valedictorian of the Class of 1945. Following graduation, Bonnie was employed as a receptionist at the Shelby County Courthouse in Harlan, Iowa.

     On February 16, 1947, she was united in marriage to Russell Eugene Petersen at the Methodist Church Chapel in Harlan, Iowa. Over the years they were blessed with five children Larry, Rick, Joni, Carol, and Carla. They farmed north of Kimballton where they grew row crops and raised livestock. Bonnie raised chickens. She also had a garden and enjoyed canning all the fresh produce. She was the typical farm wife cooking delicious meals and lunches for all the help and guest. They retired from farming and traveled a bit. Russell died January 27, 2012. Bonnie continued to enjoy her home in Kimballton.

     Bonnie was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Audubon, Iowa. She enjoyed all her card clubs and loved to play pinochle. She enjoyed doing crossword puzzles. But most importantly she loved spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

     Bonnie was preceded in death by her husband Russell E. Petersen; her grandsons Travis Petersen and Eric Petersen; her parents Theodore and Fern Thompson; her siblings Marilyn and husband Frank Briggs and Kenneth and Geraldine Thompson; her brother-in-law Harold Baeth; and Karmen Grabill.

     Survivors include her children Larry and wife Sandy Petersen of Avoca, Iowa, Rick and wife Ann Petersen of Spring Grove, Illinois, Joni and husband Brent Christensen of Corning, Iowa, Carol and husband Kent Baier of Brayton, Iowa, and Carla Gust of Audubon, Iowa; her grandchildren Ryan and wife Claire Petersen and Chris Petersen all of Avoca, Iowa, Nichole and husband Jeremy Walter of Glenwood, Iowa, Brooke Christensen and Keaton Christensen, and Melissa and husband Tyler Thygesen all of Audubon, Iowa, Tyson Petersen of Hamlin, Iowa, Tiffany and husband Ian Steensen of Guthrie Center, Iowa, Morgan Gust of West Des Moines, Iowa, and Aaron Gust of Audubon, Iowa, Alli and husband Conner Stern and Emily Hinderholtz all of Spring Grove. Illinois ; her great grandchildren Tucker and Charlie Petersen both of Avoca, Iowa, Ludwig and Cozette Walter both of Glenwood, Iowa, Hannah and Logan Thygesen both of Audubon, Iowa, Kylie and Whitney Petersen both of Hamlin, Iowa, Brooks and Baylor Petersen both of Boone, Iowa, Bria and Barrett Steensen both of Guthrie Center, Iowa, Hollie Stern of Spring Grove, Illinois; her sister Beverly Baeth of Urbandale, Iowa; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

     The family will greet friends on Friday evening, February 3, 2023, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Kessler Funeral Home in Audubon, Iowa. There will be a private family funeral service conducted by Pastor Kathy Kluis at a later date. Interment will be in the Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery in Kimballton, Iowa. The honorary casket bearers are Travis Petersen and Eric Petersen. The casket bearers will be Ryan Petersen, Chris Petersen, Nichole Walter, Brooke Christensen, Keaton Christensen, Melissa Thygesen, Tyson Petersen, Tiffany Steensen, Morgan Gust, and Aaron Gust, Alli Stern, and Emily Hinderholtz.