Virginia “Ginny” Lee (Harding) Petersen was born Aug. 20, 1935, in Clarks to Jacob and Mary (May) Harding and passed away Sept. 25, 2022, surrounded by her family, at the age of 87 years, 1 month and 5 days.
Ginny grew up in Polk and graduated from Polk High School in 1954. She was a cheerleader and involved in band and music. This is where she met Bobby Petersen, the star football player and the love of her life. She and Bob were married on June 20, 1954, and honeymooned in Yellowstone National Park. They lived in Seward most of their lives and were blessed with five children.
She was a stay-at-home mom but helped Bob with their construction business. When the kids got older, she obtained her real estate license. She liked to golf, travel, enjoy a glass of wine with Bob and entertain family and friends. She loved playing Bridge and at one point was a member of three Bridge clubs. The couple enjoyed traveling all over the country and seeing their many friends in Arizona and Nebraska. She and Bob lived six months of the year in Sun City Grand, Arizona. Ginny loved her kids and grandkids dearly and enjoyed spoiling them often.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert “Bob” Petersen; parents, Jacob and Mary Harding; sisters, Wanda (Rod) Schoenholz and Donna Harding; brother, Frank Harding; son, Tom Petersen; and great-granddaughter, Reagin Rixstine.
Survivors include her sons, Kim (Julie) Petersen of Phoenix, Arizona, Sam (Angie) of Hebron and Jon (Jennifer) of Friend; daughter, Lori (Dave) Feulner of Hebron; 12 grandchildren, Kyle (Jenny) Petersen, Emma (Riggin) Rixstine, Katelyn Petersen, Kelsey (Levi) Templin, Sarah Petersen, Sam Petersen Jr., Andrew Petersen, Ashleigh (Miko) Ferry, Jacob Feulner, Michael Feulner (Abbey), Thomas Feulner (McCall), Jackson Feulner and Megan Boyd (Quan); 14 great-grandchildren, Araeya and Tytan Rixstine, Keisha Tyrrell, Jayln Petersen, Graysen Petersen, Qirin Mach, Alivia Petersen, Laikyn Templin, Domanick Rexroad, Keatyn Petersen, Lyrik Petersen, Stella Feulner and Sylus and Nova Ferry; and sister-in-law, Charlene Petersen.
Visitation will be from 1 to 8:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 30, with the family receiving friends from 5 to 7 p.m. at Zabka-Perdue Funeral Home in Seward. A memorial service will be at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 1, at the funeral home, with the Rev. Mary Kay Totty officiating. A private family graveside service will follow. Memorial contributions may be made to the Petersen family for future designations. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.zabkafuneralhome.com.
