Petersen, Laurie L.

Laurie L. Petersen, 55, of Wyoming, Iowa, passed away Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2009, at St. Luke's Hospital in Cedar Rapids after a courageous 15-year battle with breast cancer. Visitation: 2 to 7 p.m. Sunday at Lahey Funeral Home in Wyoming. Services: 10 a.m. Monday at Zion Lutheran Church in Wyoming. Burial will be in Wyoming Cemetery.

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Laurie Lynnette Chatterton was born Dec. 26, 1953, in Monticello, Iowa, the daughter of Boyd and Audrey (Schrader) Chatterton. She graduated from Midland High School in 1972 and the American Institute of Business in Des Moines in 1973, taking a position at Cuckler Steel Buildings in Monticello. Laurie was united in marriage on March 26, 1977, to Guy W. Petersen of Wyoming. Guy and Laurie made their home in Iowa City, where Laurie was employed by Lantern Park Apartments until 1979, when Guy and Laurie moved back to Wyoming so Guy could join the family farming operation. Laurie was a homemaker, raising their two children while volunteering her time generously for many organizations. At the same time, she baby-sat numerous kids and helped on the farm. In 2001, she joined the Midland Community Schools hot lunch program where she helped feed hundreds of kids with a warm smile until 2009, when her failing health wouldn't allow her to continue.

Laurie enjoyed tending her garden and caring for her flowers, along with accompanying her family on many trips to Arizona, Alaska, Hawaii, British Columbia, Morocco, Puerto Rico, Scandinavia and everywhere in between. She also loved music and took every opportunity to share it with those around her, whether it be playing the piano at church or accompanying numerous high school band soloists.

Her kind spirit, unwavering strength, incredible generosity and concern for everyone else's well-being, despite her own health struggles, provided inspiration for all who had the good fortune to know her.

Laurie was a volunteer for many activities and organizations, including the American Cancer Society, Zion Lutheran Church, WELCA, Sunday school and Vacation Bible School, Wyoming Pioneers 4-H Club as a leader, Jones County 4-H, Floral Hall at the Wyoming Fair as co-chair, Midland High School Music Boosters and Meals on Wheels.

Laurie is survived by her husband, Guy; their two children, Andy Petersen of Cedar Rapids and Jenny Petersen of Wyoming; her parents, Boyd and Audrey Chatterton of Onslow; her sister, Karen (Larry) Porath of Emmetsburg; her brother, Dale (Kaye) Chatterton of Onslow; her brother-in-law, Jim Petersen of Anchorage, Alaska; her sister-in-law Sue Petersen and husband Dan Choate of Eagle River, Alaska; and eight nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents, mother- and father-in-law, and a sister-in-law.

Memorials are preferred.