Obituary
Remembering Phyllis Jean Petersen
Phyllis Jean Petersen, aged 95 of Wyoming, passed away on Wednesday, October 9, 2019, surrounded by her loving family. She was raised by her parents, Arthur and Ila Edmonds, on a farm in Remus, MI. She graduated from Remus High School in spring of 1941 and went to Flint, MI, to work in a factory making airplane parts during WWII. She later married Harold Petersen in 1948, and they moved to Grand Rapids, where Harold worked at General Motors. After Harold’s death from cancer in 1964, Phyllis applied to Davenport College through a Federal Assistance program for widows in 1970. She graduated and was hired by the college as an assistant to the financial aid officer. Later, she worked for the Michigan Vocational Rehabilitation Services, then as office manager at Catholic Social Services, where she retired. She also worked at Gerontology Network and Kelly Temporary Services, where she enjoyed assignments at Bethany Christian Services and the GR Police Department. She is survived by her daughters, Susan (Gary) Bourque, Rebecca (Ken) Shields; grandchildren: Annette Shields, Andrea (Andy) Jegier, Michael (Sarah) Bourque, Jacob Stoutjesdyk, Vaughn (Brea) Stoutjesdyk; great grandchildren: Brennah Jenae, Rita Rose, Isabella Mae; many nieces and nephews. She was also preceded in death by her daughters: Janice Petersen, Cynthia Stoutjesdyk; great grandchild, Cynde Renee; siblings: Vern, Anna, Esther, Elmer, Doris. Funeral services for Phyllis will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday at Gethsemane Lutheran Church, 3152 Clyde Park SW, Wyoming, with Rev. Lee Welker officiating. Interment Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens. Relatives and friends may meet the family on Friday from 4-7 p.m. at Matthysse Kuiper DeGraaf Funeral Home, 4031 Clyde Park SW, Wyoming, and also one hour prior to the funeral at the church. Memorial contributions may be made to Gethsemane Lutheran Church or Emmanuel Hospice.
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