- Date Of Birth: January 29, 1931
- Date Of Death: July 4, 2022
- State: Montana
LaNelle was born January 29, 1931, to Ellen and Wilber Willett in Great Falls, MT. She grew up in an apartment on the south side of Great Falls during the Depression, where she would say, “Everyone I knew was poor”.
LaNelle graduated from Great Falls High School in 1949. On July 15th, 1950, she married Robert L. Petersen, a young farmer from the East Community out of Brady, MT. The young couple’s first home was a 26’ trailer with no bathroom or running water. LaNelle and Bob raised their four children on the farm surrounded by a large extended family; LaNelle was the finest and most supportive mother to her children.
LaNelle was active in the East Community, she belonged to the Golden West Lutheran Church where she played the organ and piano. She also sang with two other women in a group called “The Tricapellas”. In the early 80’s LaNelle became involved in politics and was the first female county commissioner from Pondera County. During her six-year term, LaNelle was proud to serve on the State Mental Health Board. After retirement, LaNelle and Bob traveled to Yuma, AZ for the winter months. They made many wonderful friends and enjoyed attending dances and other activities at “The Caravan Oasis RV Park”. She continued to go to Yuma after Bob’s death in 1999; they were married for 49 ½ years.
In 2010, LaNelle moved to Great Falls, it didn’t take her long to meet her new neighbors and LaNelle found a spiritual family at St. John’s Lutheran Church. She thrived on being social and was happiest when her calendar was full.
LaNelle was preceded in death by her husband, Bob; son Doug and her parents Wilber and Ellen Willett.
She is survived by her three children, Dan (Sue) Petersen of Great Falls, Debby (Joe) Perry of Brady and Keith (Elizabeth)Petersen of Arvada, CO; eight grandchildren, Kirsten Petersen, Megan Petersen, Erica (Travis) Harp, Zack (Rose) Jarvis, Ashley Petersen, Ben (Tonya) Petersen, Caleb Petersen; and two great grandchildren Hannah and Henry Harp.
The family wishes to extend their gratitude to the nurses and staff at Peace Hospice for the love and support they provided, not only for LaNelle, but also her family.
