Donna Marie Petersen was born Nov. 9, 1926, one and one-half miles west of Cordova to Carl and Marie (Christiansen) Thompsen, and to this union, three children were born, Donna, JoAnn, and Carla.
In 1929, they moved to a farm two miles west and two and one-half miles south of Cordova. Donna started country school in 1931 at District 23 in Fillmore County. She walked two miles that first year and then across the section, so it was only one mile after that. If the weather was bad, her dad took her to school. Many times, it was done in the lumber wagon pulled by the horses. When she started fifth grade, they moved to Cordova and finished her education through the 12th grade. Following graduation in May of 1944, she took a course at Lincoln School of Commerce.
On May 29, 1949, Donna Married Gaylord Petersen. They honeymooned in Colorado and upon their return, moved into their first home, the “home place” one mile east of Cordova. They were blessed with the adoption of two children – Darel in 1957 and Diane in 1961. Donna was a member of the Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Cordova.
Survivors include her son and daughter in law, Darel and Linda Petersen, Cordova; daughter and son-in-law Diane and Roger Wolfe, Jr., York; five grandchildren and spouses, Laura and Dr. Daniel Hershberger, Bellevue, Jonathan and Allison Petersen, Cordova, Rev. Erin and Jeremy Tyler, Fort Collins, Colorado; Jeremiah Wolfe, Stromsburg, and David and Heather Wolfe, Casper, Wyoming; 12 great-grandchildren; sister, Carla Moore, Friend,; nieces, nephews, and a host of other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Gaylord; sister, JoAnn; sister-in-law, Jane Due; and brothers-in-law, James Moore, and Don Weber.
A memorial service was Dec. 19 with inurnment at the Zastrow Cemetery. Memorial contributions are suggested in care of the family for a later designation. Arrangements by Lauber Funeral and Cremation Services.
