Mary Jean Petersen
April 22, 1924 ~ February 22, 2022
Mary Jean Petersen of Mooresville IN, passed away on February 22nd, 2022.
Mrs. Petersen was born April, 22, 1924, in Mooresville, to Roy and Emma Sanders. She graduated from Mooresville High School in 1942 as class Valedictorian.
On June 14, 1942 she married William L. Keller. After he returned from the service they lived, owned, and operated the family generational farm north of Waverly. Mr. Keller passed away on July 5th, 1976 after 32 years of marriage.
She retired in May 1986, after 30 years of service, at AM General Corporation in Indianapolis. She was an active member of the Church at Mt. Gilead, where she was a lifelong attendee after being baptized there in 1937. On August 8th, 1987, she married Alvin G. Petersen of Tilden, Nebraska. They split the time between the two homes, summering in Nebraska where Mr. Petersen was a farmer until his retirement at the age of 81 and winters here in Indiana. Mr. Petersen passed away in 2015 after 28 years of marriage with Mary Jean.
Mary Jean spent her free time in several hobbies. She enjoyed reading her Bible, while also finding joy in knitting, crocheting, and doing embroidery. She did her best to travel to every country she could with Israel and Thailand being two of her favorite destinations. She also loved attending her grandchildren’s soccer and basketball games.
She is survived by her daughter Deanna (Howard) Smith, and grandson Duran (Dalena) Smith, great grandson Kyler (Chloe) Smith and great granddaughter Jacelyn Smith, in addition to her stepsons John (Jo) and Joseph (Sheryl) Petersen; stepdaughters Bonnie (Steven) Williams, Ellen (Tom) Reedy, Romona (Tom) Noble, Ruth (Germano) Samagaio; as well as many other grandchildren and great grandchildren.
In addition to her parents and husband William Keller, she is preceded in death by her husband Alvin Petersen, stepsons George and Tim Petersen, and stepdaughter Merna Vandeveer.
Visitation will be held 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Friday at Mt. Gilead 6019 E SR 144, Mooresville, IN. Additional visitation will be held Saturday 12 – 1 p.m. at Carlisle – Branson Funeral Service & Crematory, followed by the funeral service beginning at 1 p.m. Burial will follow services at Mooresville Cemetery. The family requests that all attendees wear masks for everyone’s safety.
Memorial contributions may be made in Mary Jean’s memory to the Church at Mt. Gilead or the Alzheimer’s Association.
Visit www.CarlisleBranson.com to share a favorite memory or to sign the online guest registry.
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Until we meet again dear friend
Remembering you and “Mary Petersen” in our minds and in our hearts.
Dearly loved this woman. Good memories. Prayers to you Deanna. You were so good to her.
Deanna, I was so sorry to read about your mother’s passing in the newspaper today. As you know, she and my mother were very good friends and even rode to work together at Mouldings. Mom and dad so enjoyed playing cards with all their friends. I remember your grandparents too. I didn’t realize that Alvin had passed away or Merna. I remember that you and your mom came to the funeral home when my mother passed. I’m sorry I won’t be able to come to the service tomorrow. It sure doesn’t seem like she should have been 97. You and your family are in my prayers. Martha Dorsett Bronner
I would have loved to have been able to be there with you. I praise God for allowing me to be blessed in so many ways by “Jean”. She became a mother and trusted friend who I was privileged, along with the rest of my family, to come to love very dearly. Words can never fully express the blessing. Thank you Lord for such a beautiful blessing she was.