Donna M. Peterson

Donna May Peterson, 88, of Coal Valley, IL, passed away on Thursday, May 22, 2025, at Allure of Geneseo.  Cremation rites have been accorded and per Donna’s wishes, no services will be held.  Vandemore Funeral Homes & Crematory – Geneseo Chapel will be assisting the family with arrangements.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Orion Methodist Church, 407 12th Avenue, Orion, IL, 61273.

Donna was born on September 17, 1936, the daughter of Robert and Freida (Jacobson) Heist, in Madison, South Dakota.  She graduated from Geneseo High School, class of 1954.  On March 10, 1956, she married Willard “Bud” E. Peterson, Jr., at Colona Methodist Church.  Donna was employed as a teller at Central Bank, Geneseo.  She was an avid quilt maker, making many fine hand-stitched quilts.  Her hobbies included RV’ing and golfing, where she earned the title of golf champion of the ladies’ league at Ford Hills.  Donna was a member of Orion Methodist Church and loved playing piano and singing in the church choir for several years.

Those left to cherish her memory include her loving husband, Willard “Bud” Peterson of Coal Valley; children, Michael (Diane) Peterson of Opelika, AL, Becky (Mark) Fuelling of Geneseo, and Keith (Gina) Peterson of Geneseo; grandchildren, Maggie Peterson,  Meri Considine, Brandon and Bradley Nordling, Bethany Yowell, Alexis Boswell, and Haley Bugumba; ten great-grandchildren with another on the way; and sister, Sharon (Bob) Gramling of Geneseo.

Donna was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Freida Heist; son, William Peterson; son-in-law, Jon Nordling; and brothers, Donald and Robert Heist.