Linda Kay Petersen, age 75, died suddenly at her home in Scottsdale, AZ on Tuesday, March 14, 2023. She was born March 1, 1948, in Red Oak, Iowa.
She attended schools in Elliott and Griswold, IA, graduating from Griswold High School in 1966 where she participated in many activities and was an excellent student. After high school she attended and graduated from Nettleton Business College in Omaha, NE. She then assumed a position as Admin. Assistant to the President of Duchesne College of the Sacred Heart, Omaha, NE. She remained in that position until she married her high school sweetheart, Jerry, on September 15, 1967 in Omaha, NE. Linda spent the next 38 years moving around the Midwest with Jerry while he finished undergraduate college and in his various positions in Education. They then spent the remainder of their life together in retirement in both Scottsdale, AZ and Iowa.
Linda was a highly creative person and pursued her passions as a gardener, a master crafter, and devoted sewer. She loved decorating and entertaining in many of her homes during her life. Linda and Jerry were true partners in life having known each other since elementary school where Jerry’s mother Ruth Ann Petersen taught Linda in 2nd grade as well as Jr High School in Elliott, IA. She loved Jazzercise and for 10 years she owned and operated Jazzercise Franchises in Iowa, Wisconsin, and Illinois. She founded one of the now largest Jazzercise Franchises in Wisconsin in Kenosha, WI. In addition to owning her own Franchise, she was also the Area Manager for Jazzercise Corporate for the State of Wisconsin, managing other Franchise owners. What Linda loved the most was being a Mother to April and James. Linda instilled important values in her kids—the importance of laughter in life, loyalty to those you love and the gift of giving. She taught her kids that doing simple things, like saying thank you was important. She also loved being a Nana (Grandmother) and adored her grandchildren, Leila 14, and Camden 9. She was a thoughtful and fun Nana and added laughter and joy to their lives.
She was preceded in death by her father, Paul Gammell and her sister, Paula Gammell.
She is survived by her husband, Jerry, Scottsdale, AZ, after almost 56 years of marriage; her children, April, Jersey City, NJ and James, Phoenix, AZ; her Grandchildren, Leila and Camden, Phoenix, AZ; and, her mother Mildred Gammell, Scottsdale, AZ: and her many, many friends across the country! She will be dearly missed by all who knew her.
Linda will be cremated. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at the Griswold Community Center in Griswold, Iowa on June 10, 2023, from 1-3 pm. A private burial service will follow at the Griswold Cemetery.
