Lillie Esther Petersen

Lillie's Funeral Service will be live streamed here: https://youtube.com/live/4pPB7fB3x1E or on the Immanuel Facebook page. Both are reachable from Immanuel's main page, www.immanuelschleswig.com.

Lillie Esther Petersen was born on October 30, 1919, to Herman and Nellie (Sciford) Bohlmann at home in Hanover Township, rural Charter Oak, Iowa. She was baptized on November 16, 1919, and later confirmed on April 9, 1933, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Hanover Township. Lillie attended school through the eighth grade before staying home to help care for her siblings. She later returned to school for a year to take home economics classes.

On March 12, 1939, Lillie was united in marriage to Emil A. Petersen at the Lutheran Parsonage in Hanover Township. The couple made their home on the family farm, where Lillie lived for 87 years. Their marriage was blessed with two daughters, Norma and Joyce.

Lillie had a deep love for baking, especially her banana muffins and her well-known “Grandma Lillie Bars.” She also enjoyed both flower and vegetable gardening. In their earlier years, Lillie and Emil enjoyed traveling together, often flying to visit relatives. Lillie was a wonderful hostess who cherished time spent visiting with family and friends.

Her greatest joy was being a grandmother and great-grandmother, and she was truly amazed and grateful to watch her family grow through the generations. Lillie was a faithful member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Schleswig.

Just three weeks ago, Lillie moved to Gracewell in Denison, where she passed away on Friday, April 10, 2026, having attained the age of 106 years, five months, and 11 days.

In addition to her parents, Herman and Nellie Bohlmann, she was preceded in death by her husband, Emil Petersen in 2001; her daughters, Norma (Don) Hanrahan and Joyce (Darryl) Petersen; one granddaughter, Sandy Ramer; and a great-grandson, Cade Petersen.

She is survived by her grandchildren: Stacy (Bruce) Kelly; Jay (Kris) Petersen; Chad (Danae) Petersen; and Patrick (Dena) Hanrahan; nine great-grandchildren; special niece, Janice Nemitz; along with extended family members and friends.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, April 17, 2026, at 10:30 a.m., with visitation one hour prior, beginning at 9:30 a.m., all at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Schleswig. Burial will follow at Morgan Cemetery in Schleswig.