Donna Mae Petersen's Obituary
Donna Mae Petersen, at the age of 77, was called home to Heaven to be with God on October 24, 2020 in Longview, Texas. Donna was born July 07, 1943 in Moline, IL to the late Franklin and Wilma Sims. She had three sisters, Peggy Heaton, Joanne Frederick, Carol Ginneberge and two brothers Bill Sims and Mike Sims. By God’s grace, Donna was born again in Holy Baptism receiving the Holy Spirit, at First Lutheran Church, in Rock Island, IL.
Donna was a graduate of Rock Island Senior High School, May 1961. Donna and Gordon Petersen met March 1959 and married July 22, 1961. In 1963 and 1965, God blessed them with two loving children, Johnna and Jason. August 1978, the family moved from Illinois to Harrison County, TX where they have built a wonderful life.
Donna was a very loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Most people knew her by “Nanny,” which is what her grandchildren called her. She very seldom missed an event that they were involved in. Donna also enjoyed cooking special dishes for her family and friends. Donna was an active member at Trinity Lutheran Church in Tyler, TX.
Donna was preceded in death by her parents, Franklin and Wilma Sims; step-father, Albert Ginneberge; brother Bill Sims and granddaughter, Adrienne Malone. Her cremates will be spread in the mountains of northern New Mexico where the ashes were spread of her granddaughter Adrienne Malone.
Donna’s loved ones grieve her death yet rejoice in Donna’s eternal life. She is survived by her loving husband of 59 years, Gordon Petersen; two children; Johnna Stricklin of Daingerfield, TX and Jason and wife Brenda Petersen of Hallsville, TX grandchildren; Chelsea Gantt and husband Travis of Hughes Springs, TX, Trevor Petersen and wife Ashley of Longview, TX, Nolan Stricklin of Daingerfield, TX, Brandon Petersen and wife Lindsay of Chandler, TX, and Amanda Petersen of Hallsville, TX, Great-Grandchildren; Kathryn Gantt of Hughes Springs, TX and Daxton Petersen of Longview, TX, Sisters Peggy and husband Ron Heaton, Joanne Frederick, Carol Ginneberge, brother Mike and wife Nancy Sims along with host of nieces and nephews as well as a large number of friends.
Services: 11:00am, Thursday November 5th, Trinity Lutheran Church, 2001 Hunter St. Tyler, Texas 75701
“For I know the plans I have for you” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”.
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