Betty E. Petersen

September 16, 1926 ~ September 3, 2014
Betty Ellen (Phelps) Petersen, 87, of Morrisonville, passed away at 6:45 AM, Wednesday September 3, 2014 at Memorial Medical Center in Springfield.
Betty was born September 16, 1926 in Beardstown, Illinois to Henry and Norma Mallicoat Phelps. She married Warren J. Petersen in Beardstown on June 9, 1950. Warren passed away on November 27, 2001. Betty was also preceded in death by her parents, her grandmother, Edna Mallicoat, her sister, Mary Jane (Phelps) Schmitt and her niece, Edna Janet Lou (Schmitt) Whitehurst.
Betty is survived by a nephew, Henry (Martha) Schmitt of Peoria, by her two grand-nieces, Hope (Whitehurst) Yount and Alex Whitehurst, her two grand-nephews, Kyle Schmitt and Gregory Schmitt, and her 5 "grandchildren", Olivia, Taylor, Bryce, Will and Reese. Betty is also survived by her brother-in-law, Don Petersen, her late niece's husband, David Whitehurst, several special cousins, many friends and several generations of her high school students. She will be remembered by all as a special lady and friend.
Betty was a 1944 graduate of Beardstown High School and recently celebrated the 70-year reunion of that class with her long-time classmates and friends. Betty subsequently attended Carthage College in Carthage, Illinois, graduating in 1949. It was at Carthage College that she met a tall, handsome young man, Warren Petersen. They were both called to be educators, married in 1950 and celebrated their 50 year Golden Anniversary in June 2000.
After earning her Bachelor's Degree, Betty earned a Master's Degree in Business Education from the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley. She later did post-graduate work at Colorado State University in Gunnison, focusing on Computer Science.
Betty came to the Morrisonville Community Unit School District in 1953 and taught business classes at the high school for 33 years, retiring in 1986. Prior to coming with Warren to Morrisonville, Betty taught business classes at Nauvoo (Illinois) High School from 1949 - 1953. Through her 33 year tenure as a teacher at Morrisonville High School, Betty served as the faculty advisor for the high school yearbook, The Mohawk. She was also instrumental in starting the Computer Program at Morrisonville High School and served as class sponsor for a number of graduating classes. She also served as cheerleading sponsor and as a faculty advisor to the Morrisonville High School Key Club and to the Junior High School Builders Club.
Betty was the recipient of several awards and honors over her teaching career, including the "Those Who Excel" award in 1975 and 1985. In 1985, Betty was chosen as one of the finalists for "Illinois Teacher of the Year". Betty was a member and past-president of the Morrisonville Education Association, the Illinois Education Association and the National Education Association. After her retirement from Morrisonville High School, Betty worked for the Illinois Department of Agriculture in Springfield for another 20 years, finally retiring in 2009.
Betty's calling was to be a teacher, builder and encourager of young people and she greatly enjoyed working with and guiding the youth in her community. In addition to her high school teaching, Betty became the Morrisonville Community Coordinator for Lincoln Land Community College in 1974, serving as an instructor for the college and teaching many adult classes for 20 years. Her professional involvement included memberships in Delta Pi Epsilon, Honorary Society for Graduate Students in Business, and Delta Kappa Gamma, Society for Outstanding Women Educators.
In addition to her teaching career, Betty was actively involved in building and supporting the Morrisonville community for over 60 years. She was a long-time member and past-president of the Morrisonville Kiwanis Club and was elected Lieutenant Governor of I-I Kiwanis District, Divison 30 for 1997 - 1998.
Betty was a charter member of the Morrisonville Civic Janes in 1964. This women's civic organization worked to provide community improvements such as purchasing playground equipment and beautifying the right-of-way through Morrisonville. The organization also helped to establish the Kitchell Memorial Library where Betty served for many years on the library board of trustees.
Betty also served as a member of the Community Club for many years. The organization sponsors the three-day Homecoming Picnic and Celebration in Morrisonville each summer. Betty served as Chairperson of the "Miss Community Queen" Pageant for 50 years. She received a surprise "Queen of Queens" award and recognition at the July 2009 picnic for her long and devoted service.
Betty's additional community involvement included membership in the American Legion Auxiliary, honorary membership in the Morrisonville FFA Chapter, member of the Morrisonville Historical Society, Parade Marshall, member of the St. Vincent Hospital Auxiliary, and volunteer for numerous charities and causes. She took great pleasure in chaperoning, bowling, swimming, pizza parties and get-togethers of all sorts. Because of Betty's tireless energy, enthusiasm and devotion to the Morrisonville Community, its high school and to its youth over many years, a small park, Petersen Park, was dedicated and named in her honor on the grounds of the high school in April 1997.
Betty Petersen was a wonderful teacher, role model, encourager, shopper extraordinaire and Christian lady. She was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church of Morrisonville. She loved her family, community, students and church greatly and was loved in return. She walked and lived her tremendous faith each day, was incredibly gifted, humble, hospitable, and fun. Her life was and continues to be a blessing to those she touched.
Funeral services will be Monday, September 8, 2014 at 10:30 AM at First Presbyterian Church of Morrisonville, 111 North Street, Morrisonville, with Pastor James Ferrill officiating. Visitation will be from 3:00 - 6:00 PM on Sunday, September 7, 2014 at Perfetti's Funeral Home, 304 Carlin Street in Morrisonville and from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM Monday at the church. Burial will be at Morrisonville Cemetery. A funeral lunch will follow at the American Legion Hall in Morrisonville.
Memorials may be made to the Warren Petersen Scholarship at Morrisonville High School, PO Box 13, Morrisonville, IL 62546 or to First Presbyterian Church of Morrisonville, 111 North Street, Morrisonville, IL 62546.
Perfetti Funeral Home in Morrisonville is in charge of arrangements.
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