Obituary of joan elizabeth peterson

Joan Elizabeth Peterson, 84 of Pensacola, Florida, was called home to be with her Lord and Savior on February 7, 2020. Joan was born in Belmond, Iowa on May 25, 1935 to Edna (Swenson) and Jalmer Stensland. She graduated from Conrad High School in 1953. After high school, Joan worked as a bookkeeper for the store National Cash in Iowa Falls for 3 years. In August of 1956, she moved to Webster City, IA where she got a job selling advertising spots to local businesses for the local newspaper. A year later she left the newspaper office to work for Farmers National Bank. Joan married the love of her life, John Peterson, on January 19, 1963. In 1971, John talked her into moving to Florida and she instantly fell in love with the warm Florida weather. In the early years of marriage, they loved to travel. One of her favorite trips was visiting Norway to see her family. Joan worked for Farmer’s National for almost 9 years when she quit to do the job she loved most in the world, being a mother. Joseph John arrived in March of 1968 and Janet Elizabeth in August of 1969. On May 2, 1972, after reading through the entire Bible, Joan made the decision to accept Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. Studying God’s word was one of her favorite things to do. She loved the Lord with all her heart, and it was her desire for others to know Him as well. Joan loved being a wife and mother and was an excellent homemaker. Joan loved cooking and baking. She was well known for her excellent meals, yummy desserts and beautifully decorated cakes. Whenever family and friends came to visit, she would always make everyone’s favorite food and dessert. She also enjoyed reading biographies, talking on the phone to family and friends and shopping. Joan could always find the best bargains and her favorite shopping trips were spending a day at Belk’s with her daughter and daughter-in-law. The shopping trips were never complete unless they ended with either a hot fudge Sundae at McDonald’s or a Wendy’s Frosty. She loved ice cream. Joan loved being a grandmother and she enjoyed playing games with her 3 grandsons. The boys always looked forward to playing a fun game of Domino’s with Grandma and whoever was lucky enough to have her as a partner was sure to win. She is preceded in death by her parents, Jalmer and Edna Stensland; sister, Shirley Jones; brother, Mervin Stensland; sister-in-law, Deanna Stensland and brothers-in-law, Ed Crabtree and Leroy Jones. Joan is survived by her husband of 57 years, John Peterson; son, Joseph (Misao) Peterson of Pensacola, FL; daughter, Janet (Scott) Swann of Holly Springs, NC; three grandsons, Jeremy Swann, Stephen Swann and Allen Peterson; brothers, Orlin (Nancy) Stensland, Wallace Stensland, Roger (Carol) Stensland; sisters, Pat Crabtree and Margit (Pete) Abshier; sister-in-law, Barbara Stensland and many nieces and nephews. A Celebration of Life is being planned for June in Iowa. For information on making a memorial donation in Joan’s honor call Covenant Care at 1-850-470-9288.