Obituary of Lillian Dorothy Peterson

Lillian Dorothy (Babe) Peterson, 96, of State College died peacefully Wednesday, January 27, 2016 at Juniper Village. The beloved mother and mother-in-law of Lynn and Robert Drafall of State College, she was born December 5, 1919, the seventh and youngest child of Albert F. and Christiana Holm Leetz. Lillian was raised in the loving home of her German immigrant parents in Chicago, IL, surrounded by her fun-loving sisters and brothers, her grandmother, and her uncle. She attended Englewood High School and graduated from Hirsch High School in 1937. On April 13, 1947, she married Rodney James (Pete) Peterson when he returned from naval service during World War II. Before and after her marriage, she worked as a secretary for Armour and Company prior to the birth of her daughter. She returned to work in 1968 as an executive secretary for Davis Staffing, Inc. in Chicago Heights, IL, retiring in 1986. She was preceded in death by her parents and husband; brothers Clarence Albert Leetz, Harold George Leetz, and Henry Holm Leetz; sisters Anna Margaret Anderson, Violet A. Conley, and Rose Henrietta Cornell; nephew Paul Leetz; and nieces Carol Leetz and Ann Cornell Stack. In addition to her daughter, she is survived by numerous nieces and nephews and their children. Prior to her move to Pennsylvania in 2005, Lillian was an active member of Faith Lutheran Church in Homewood, IL where she served the church faithfully in varied capacities. While living in State College, she was a member of Grace Lutheran Church and, when she was no longer able to attend services, she benefitted greatly from the church's Congregational Care Ministry. She also received loving and compassionate support from Home Instead care providers and the staff at Juniper Village at Brookline. A service celebrating Lillian Peterson's life will be held on Sunday, Feb. 28 at 2 p.m. at Grace Lutheran Church, 205 S. Garner Street, State College with Reverend P. Stevens Lynn officiating. Burial will occur at Oak Hill Cemetery in Chicago. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Lillian's name may be made to Grace Lutheran Church Congregational Care Ministry, 205 S. Garner Street, State College, PA, 16801. Online condolences can be made at kochfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are under the care of Koch Funeral home, State College. Online condolences may be made at www.kochfuneralhome.com.