Garet P. Hegner

Garet was born Margaret Grace Petersen, in Elmhurst, Ill. to Iver Petersen and Mary Kocher Petersen.

She spent her childhood in nearby Geneva, Ill, as the oldest of 5 children.

Her father was a Lineman for Illinois Bell, and her mother, a housewife. Her father immigrated from Denmark, through Ellis Island, and her mother, was conceived in Germany, but born in the States! So, Garet, was technically a first-generation American!

Born into the Greatest Generation, she, like others from this Era, was quite resourceful. She became quite the seamstress, and early on, made her own clothes. She would say, "use the money you save, sewing, on great accessories and shoes! "And, "People will know the kind of person you are, by the underwear you wear; make sure it's clean, in case you get into an accident!" A classmate at Geneva High School, once coined her the Best Dresser in West Chicago, which was validating.

Garet met her husband, H.H."Bud"Hegner, Jr., when she was 19, at a Road House. They quickly fell in love, and eloped. They hit the road, stopping long enough in Kingman, Az. to get married. They had only enough money, for 1 Greyhound bus ticket, so Garet took the bus, and Bud hitchiked, meeting back up in Arizona. They headed to Los Angeles, via Greyhound. Of course, they wanted to live in Hollywood, and found an apartment there.

They must have come to their senses, regarding living on a Navy Reservist's paycheck, because they ended up in a trailer,(an authentic Glamper) in East L.A, near East L.A. Jr. College, where they both attended classes.

The next 10 years must've been a blur to Garet, as she had 4 children in 7years! Jaymee, Ross, Joy, and Priscilla were born from 1949-1956, and life got busy! The family relocated to Flamingo Circle, Whittier. The 1950's, were an exciting time in America, but Garet said she was too busy to notice!

Life went on, and Garet found her self widowed at 40, when Bud passed away in a fatal car crash.

Garet, then in Downey, Ca., pondered the future, and moved to Pacific Beach, Ca with her two school-aged daughters, who still lived at home. Her life changed dramatically! She had a Beach apartment, bought 1968 Era furnishings of dark Spanish style furniture, and lots of velvet, and began having the time of her life!

No longer the "Trad Wife" (as they say now) she began making all of her own rules! She bought a yellow Fiat convertible sportscar, got the rag top redone in TJ in a Flower Power pattern, and took off for College, where she attained a B.A in Psychology! Her children finally told her to stop psycho-analyzing them, every time they spoke! And, she finally did!

Garet took to travelling...She did Europe, in the Seventies...Lots of trips to Tijuana! Then, New York, where she saw Broadway Shows, and did the Garment District. Trips back to Illinois, for Petersen reunions. Many trips to Maui. And,

trips to Slovenia.

She also loved daytrips, she attended with the Red Hat Society, and would welcome vacationing friends and family, anytime!

Garet drove a newer version, yellow convertible stick shift Toyota sportscar, until she was 90, and could be seen flying down the freeway, at high speeds.(she handed it over to Grandson, Matthew, when she quit driving) She also walked the catwalk at 90, participating in a Macy's Fashion Show.

Oh yes, and the work ethic...During all the above, Garet also worked outside the home, during her lifetime, just to name a few:

Illinois Bell

General Telephone

Thorpe Insulation

Alvarado Hospital and

Project Concern

Garet was not the mother who baked cookies, awaiting our return from school, wearing apron and hair in a bun! She was instead, the Mother we needed(in retrospect) who gave us freedom to thrive, teaching her children by example. She conveyed her lessons by her actions with love, as follows:

I Do Love You, Never Give Up, Put One Foot in Front of the Other, Be Frugal, Drive a Stick Shift, Love your Family, Reward Yourself, Do DIY...and so much more.

She adored her Grandchildren: Sean, Aaron, Justin, Rebecca, Matthew, and Megan.

and her Great-Grandchildren: Sean Jr, Aidan, Colin, Kingston, Kylee, Ivy, Teak, and Chad.

She was predeceased by her parents, Iver and Mary Petersen; Her siblings, (whom she couldn't wait to see) John, Mary Lou, Esther and Barbara Sue;

and her Grandson, Sean.

She leaves her children (with written instructions on a napkin!) Jaymee, Joy, Ross, and Priscilla, to carry on.

Thanks to Priscilla and James Burks for their self-sacrificing, and tireless care of our Mother.

Thanks to all whose lives touched hers. Thanks to all the spouses of all of the above, who so enriched her life:

Don, Jamie, Juliet, Erin, Kit, Todd, and Kim.

"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me."

Psalms 23:4