Ethel LaVerne Petersen (nee Litwiller) passed away on March 29, 2024, in Fort Wayne, Indiana, at the age of 93. She was born on October 15, 1930, in Hopedale, Illinois. LaVerne was a beloved wife, sister, stepmother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.
LaVerne graduated from Goshen College with a degree in Elementary Education and later obtained a Master’s in Education from Purdue University. She dedicated her career to teaching 2nd and 3rd grade students at Bloomingdale Elementary within the Fort Wayne Community Schools, from where she retired.
In her free time, LaVerne enjoyed traveling the world, delving into books as an avid reader, and engaging in competitive bridge games as a Silver Master player. She was a cherished member of Maplewood Mennonite Church where she worshipped.
LaVerne is survived by her loving husband, Richard Petersen, her sisters Ruth Mark, Judy Muzzy, 15 nieces and nephews, 37 great nieces and nephews, stepchildren Diane Campbell, Linda Chaney, Lisa (Jeff) Tolliver, Sherrie (Jay) Konkle, Rick Petersen, Deb (Kevin) Dooley, as well as her 14 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her first husband Marshall (Gene) Eugene Gorrell, 5 sisters, 1 brother and a stepson.
LaVerne will be dearly missed by all who knew her, and her memory will be cherished by her family and friends.
Funeral service will be 1:30 pm Tuesday April 9, 2024 at Maplewood Mennonite Church, 4129 Maplecrest Road, Fort Wayne, IN with visitation from noon until 1:30 pm. Burial following at Greenlawn Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Mennonite Relief Fund.
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