Norma Lea Petersen
August 25, 1925 — October 10, 2016
Norma Lea Petersen was born August 25, 1925 in rural Pleasantville, Iowa, the daughter of James E. Holland and Mary Shivvers Holland.
Norma attended Sunnyside Rural School and graduated from Pleasantville High School. She then attended Iowa State University, earning a Bachelor’s of Science degree. Norma first taught at Elk Horn High School, during that time she met her future husband, Folmer Petersen. On June 24, 1950 Norma was united in marriage to Folmer Andrew Petersen at the Fairview Christian Church in rural Pleasantville. The couple first moved to the Elk Horn and Kimballton area, farming there for seven years. Then ultimately settling on the Petersen Family Farms in the Knoxville area. Norma worked for Dallas Elementary School as the librarian for several years and eventually worked for Pella Corp prior to her retirement in May of 1991.
Norma was active in the Knoxville community as a 4-H leader, a member of Friends of the Library and as a Red Hat Society member. She was dedicated to the First United Methodist Church having served as a Sunday School teacher, helping with Bible School and filling in as secretary. She was also a devoted member of the ISU Alumni Association. She was truly a loyal Cyclone fan. Incredibly, Norma and Folmer continued attending the ISU home games until she was 88 years old! As a 37-year survivor of breast cancer she was dedicated to Susan G. Komen and was a member of the Pink Honor Roll for eight consecutive years, because of her diligent work and fund raising efforts. Her greatest role in life was that of a loving and supportive wife, mother, and grandmother to the family she cherished.
Norma passed away on Monday, October 10, 2016 at the West Ridge Nursing & Rehab Center, surrounded by her loving family, at the age of 91 years.
In addition to her parents, Norma was preceded in death by her nephew, Lowell Dop, and brother-in-law, Howard Dop.
Those left to honor Norma’s memory include her devoted husband of 66 years, Folmer; children: Mary Sue Reeves (Charlie) of West Des Moines, Carol Ann Scheve (Robert) of Melcher, Linda Lea O’Dell of Knoxville and James David Petersen (Julie) of Knoxville; 11 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren (with twins on the way); sister, Betty Jean Dop, of Knoxville; brother, Jack Shivvers Holland (Norma Kay), of China Springs, Texas; and many other family members and friends.
Funeral services for Norma Lea Petersen of Knoxville will be held on Friday, October 14, 2016 at 1:00 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church, Knoxville. Burial will follow in the Lincoln Cemetery. Visitation will begin after 10:00 a.m. Thursday at the Bybee & Davis Funeral Home where the family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church or to Susan G. Komen.
Norma attended Sunnyside Rural School and graduated from Pleasantville High School. She then attended Iowa State University, earning a Bachelor’s of Science degree. Norma first taught at Elk Horn High School, during that time she met her future husband, Folmer Petersen. On June 24, 1950 Norma was united in marriage to Folmer Andrew Petersen at the Fairview Christian Church in rural Pleasantville. The couple first moved to the Elk Horn and Kimballton area, farming there for seven years. Then ultimately settling on the Petersen Family Farms in the Knoxville area. Norma worked for Dallas Elementary School as the librarian for several years and eventually worked for Pella Corp prior to her retirement in May of 1991.
Norma was active in the Knoxville community as a 4-H leader, a member of Friends of the Library and as a Red Hat Society member. She was dedicated to the First United Methodist Church having served as a Sunday School teacher, helping with Bible School and filling in as secretary. She was also a devoted member of the ISU Alumni Association. She was truly a loyal Cyclone fan. Incredibly, Norma and Folmer continued attending the ISU home games until she was 88 years old! As a 37-year survivor of breast cancer she was dedicated to Susan G. Komen and was a member of the Pink Honor Roll for eight consecutive years, because of her diligent work and fund raising efforts. Her greatest role in life was that of a loving and supportive wife, mother, and grandmother to the family she cherished.
Norma passed away on Monday, October 10, 2016 at the West Ridge Nursing & Rehab Center, surrounded by her loving family, at the age of 91 years.
In addition to her parents, Norma was preceded in death by her nephew, Lowell Dop, and brother-in-law, Howard Dop.
Those left to honor Norma’s memory include her devoted husband of 66 years, Folmer; children: Mary Sue Reeves (Charlie) of West Des Moines, Carol Ann Scheve (Robert) of Melcher, Linda Lea O’Dell of Knoxville and James David Petersen (Julie) of Knoxville; 11 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren (with twins on the way); sister, Betty Jean Dop, of Knoxville; brother, Jack Shivvers Holland (Norma Kay), of China Springs, Texas; and many other family members and friends.
Funeral services for Norma Lea Petersen of Knoxville will be held on Friday, October 14, 2016 at 1:00 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church, Knoxville. Burial will follow in the Lincoln Cemetery. Visitation will begin after 10:00 a.m. Thursday at the Bybee & Davis Funeral Home where the family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church or to Susan G. Komen.
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