Marilyn Jeanette Petersen, 97, passed away peacefully on July 29, 2022 in Davenport. Services will be held Friday, August 5, 2022 at Weerts Funeral Home at 11 a.m. Visitation will be held at 10 a.m. Burial will be with her husband at the Rock Island National Cemetery following the ceremonies.
Marilyn was born May 25, 1925 in rural Harrison County, Iowa to Ella A. (Juels) and William H. Boeck. In 1943, she graduated from Davenport High School. After graduation she worked as a secretary at Gordon Printing Company, Davenport. Marilyn was joined in marriage with Warren K. Petersen on February 6, 1946. After her children were born, she was a homemaker and stay-at-home mother. When her children entered school, she returned to Gordon’s and rose to office manager and salesperson. In 1966 the family relocated to Beardstown, Illinois where Warren had been transferred with Oscar Mayer. Marilyn was the City Treasurer for the City of Beardstown. She founded the gift shop at the Beardstown hospital, chaired the United Way and attended the First Evangelical Lutheran Church.
After retiring and enjoying travel and family events for a number of years, Marilyn and Warren moved to Ridgecrest Village, Davenport in 2008. She served on the Ridgecrest Family Council while in residence there. Marilyn’s hands were never still and she was always serving others wherever she lived. She attended hundreds of her children’s and grandchildren’s activities. She also served in many capacities at her church and in her community. Her creativity was exhibited in her sewing, crocheting, quilting, and painting. She loved to play bridge and to discuss politics and the stock market with her family and close friends.
She is survived by her two children: Patricia (Terry) Gonser, Rochester, Michigan and William (Janet) Petersen, Beardstown, Illinois; five grandchildren: Will (Mary Ellen) Petersen, Karl (Tammee) Petersen, Wells (Katie) Petersen, Sarah Gonser Waller and Rebecca Gonser; seven great grandchildren and her sister, Marjaleen Soehl. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and her sister, Madaline Boeck Eichhorn.
Memorials may be left to Ridgecrest Nursing Scholarship, Ridgecrest Village, Davenport or the First Evangelical Lutheran Church, Beardstown, Illinois.
