Petersen, Dorothy

MONTICELLO - Dorothy Petersen, 82, died Saturday, Oct. 23, 2010, at her home following a sudden illness. Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 26, at Goettsch Funeral Home, Monticello, where friends may call from 4 until 8 p.m. Monday. Interment will be in Mount Vernon Cemetery. The Rev. Al Polito will officiate at the services.

Surviving are two children, Pam (Wayne) Timmerman, Dickeville, Wis., and Bob (Janda) Petersen, Monticello; four grandchildren, Todd Cuckler, Stacey (Marty) Burlage, Jamie Peterson and fiance Jon Jacobs and Bobbi (Doug) Bauers; seven great-grandchildren, Courtney, Kelsey, Jesse, Race, Sydney, Lili and Macy, and one more on the way, expected in March; a sister, Iolene Clark, Mount Vernon; two sisters-in-law, Marge Gaines, Mount Vernon, and Pam Gaines, Marion; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 42 years, Ralph, who died in 1990; three brothers, Paul, Albert and Jim Gaines; and a grandson-in-law, Jon Iben.

Dorothy Mae Gaines was born Oct. 17, 1928, at Mount Vernon, Iowa, the daughter of Frances and Ina (Dean) Gaines. Dorothy graduated from Mount Vernon Community Schools. Dorothy Gaines and Ralph Petersen were married Dec. 28, 1948, at Mount Vernon. The couple lived in Cedar Falls and later at Bellevue before moving to Monticello in 1953. Dorothy worked for a brief time at the Coast to Coast store. She was employed as the secretary at State Farm Insurance for Jim Green and Bob Tighe for many years.

Dorothy enjoyed her daily coffee time with friends, playing bridge and golf, watching the Cubs and Hawkeyes. He greatest joy was being with family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Thoughts, memories and condolences may be left at