Alene Patricia Peterson

Alene Patricia Peterson, 91, of Monmouth, IL died at 5:42 pm, Wednesday, October 25, 2017 at her home.

She was born on September 6, 1926 in Galesburg, IL, the daughter of Wayne Christian and Evelyn Georgina (Wright) Harshbarger. Pat graduated from Galesburg High School in 1944, going to work at the Hemp Mill in Galesburg, IL. In September of 1944, she joined the US Cadet Nurse Core at Cottage Hospital. She left nurses training to care for her sick mother. Pat later went to work for Butler and Gale Manufacturing in Galesburg, until her marriage to Russell George Peterson on December 12, 1948, he preceded her in death on April 15, 1985.

The couple made their home on a farm near Little York, IL, where they raised their family. She moved to Monmouth in 1993. She was a member of Sugar Tree Grove United Presbyterian Church. Pat successfully sold Avon, World Book Encyclopedia, and finally Shaklee, retiring in 2010 to spend more time with her family. She enjoyed gardening, flowers, watching movies and sports, playing cards, reading, but mostly being “Nanny” to her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Pat is survived by her children; Russell (Ann) Peterson, Jr. of Secor, IL, Cathy (Ed) Lee of Little York, IL, Donald (Sharon) Peterson of Roswell, GA, and Gina (Greg) Simmons of Monmouth, IL. She has 9 grandchildren; Heather (Steve) Backus, Nathan (Lindsey) Peterson, Sean Lee, Kelli (Craig) Osborn, Cade Peterson, Nicholas Ischer, Kyle Ischer, Jennifer Ischer, Gregory Simmons II, 3 great grandchildren; Marshall Peterson, Charlotte Osborn, Theo Backus; brother, John Bruce Harshbarger; 2 sisters, Audrey (Dave) Reckman and Evelyn Gould. Also surviving are 3 sisters-in-law, Jeannette Harshbarger, Luanna Harshbarger, Tootie Harshbarger; several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, 4 brothers, Wayne Harshbarger, Bobby Harshbarger, Billy Harshbarger, and Jimmy Harshbarger, her sister, Alice Guenseth, as well as other beloved family members.

Funeral services will be at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, October 31, 2017 at McGuire & Davies Funeral Home and Crematory, Monmouth. Interment will be in Oak Lawn Memorial Gardens, Galesburg, IL. Visitation will be from 5:00-7:00 p.m., Monday, October 30, 2017 at the funeral home. Memorials can be made to the Center for Youth & Family Solutions, Galesburg, IL, or Sugar Tree Grove United Presbyterian Church.