Peterson, Agnes Dorene

Agnes Dorene Peterson died Friday, Aug. 19, 2011, at West Village Care Center in Independence following a lengthy illness at the age of 96 years.

Agnes was born into his world in Middlefield Township of Buchanan County, Iowa, on June 9, 1915, the daughter of Frank Holman Decker and Josephine (Phoene) Evelyn Gaffney Decker. She grew up on a family farm that bordered the Buffalo Creek with her older brother Max and twin brothers Ronald and Donald. She attended country school and graduated from Winthrop High School in 1932. She attended Iowa Normal College in Cedar Falls to become a teacher and taught for several years in a country school.

Dorene was united in marriage to Leonard Peterson on Nov. 28, 1935. Most of their married lives they lived in Winthrop; here they raised their son Leo. Dorene served as bookkeeper to Leonard's businesses of Great Plains Lumberyard and Peterson Implement. She often said the happiest times were the years of married life, her love for Leonard, and his for her. Leonard died Feb. 4, 1989.

She truly loved her creator and was a lifelong member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Winthrop and also belonged to Catholic Daughters of America, the Holy rosary Society, and the Order of Martha.

Dorene's life was always about family, whether it be her husband Leonard, son Leo, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, or her nieces and nephews.

She loved her friends, good food, a competitive game of bridge or golf, baseball, embroidery, ceramics and reading. She relished sharing tales about growing up, marrying, and raising their son in her beloved Winthrop. She was so proud of riding in Winthrop's 2007 Parade - her 75th year in graduating from Winthrop High School.

Agnes was preceded in death by her parents, her husband and brothers.

She is survived by her son, Leo Peterson of Redondo Beach, Calif.; her grandchildren: Jennifer (Rob) Wickwife of Agoura Hills, Calif., Michelle (Jon) McKeig of The Woodlands, Texas and Kristian Peterson of Redondo Beach, Calif.; four great-grandchildren: Lauren Wickwire and Ben, Natalie and Rex McKeig; and many nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Resurrection Funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Aug. 22, in St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Winthrop, with Father Donald J. Plamondon and Deacon Dick Kelley officiating. Friends may call from 2 until 6:30 p.m. Sunday at Fawcett Funeral Home in Winthrop, where there will be a rosary at 2:15 p.m. and Scripture service at 6:30 p.m. Friends may also call until 10:30 a.m. Monday at the funeral home. Interment will be in St. Patrick's Cemetery at Winthrop.

The Fawcett Funeral Home and Cremation services of Winthrop is assisting the family with arrangements.

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