Lynne Annette (Hester) Peterson, age 74, formerly of Albia and Indianola, currently of Ames, passed away on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025, at Mary Greeley Medical Center in Ames.
Lynne was born on May 14, 1950, in Pleasantville, to Howard Jesse and Mary Elizabeth (Hollingsworth) Hester. Lynne grew up attending school in Pleasantville and Boone High School in Boone, where she graduated in 1968. Lynne later took continuing education classes from Iowa State University where she studied While in high school, Lynne worked as a waitress and car-hop at Johnny’s Drive-In, the family restaurant. She was also an exceptional typist and following high school, was hired by the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), working in files and communications in Washington D.C. for over two years. Lynne then returned to Boone, working at the Elks Club in Ames and the Boone County Club where Lynne was an exceptional and often requested waitress. In her mid-20s Lynne moved to go to work at Shorty’s Restaurant in Pleasantville where she met Mike. They moved to Albia, Mike’s hometown, where they raised their girls in the house he grew up in. Lynne worked for Albia Schools for 12 years as a middle school cook and kitchen manager and then at Ragtime Industries, managing the kitchen there for eight years. In 1998, they moved to Indianola where Lynne worked for the Indianola School system for several years as a kitchen cook and manager at the Middle school.
Lynne was a member of the First Christian Church in Albia, where she was very active, teaching Sunday School and serving as an Elder. She also drove the church van to pick people up for church and took communion to those who were shut in. In her younger years, Lynne was a talented golfer, enjoying Women’s League with her daughter, Amy and was also a great bowler. Lynne enjoyed attending her children’s sporting and vocal events and was the scorekeeper when Mike managed the girls’ softball team. Lynne loved to read, especially James Patterson and also loved the Harry Potter series. Lynne enjoyed drawing and doing cross stitch. She was quite the artist and loved drawing birds and other wildlife. She was also an excellent cook and was able to duplicate any food or meal after tasting it. She was known for her “Lynniechangas,” her take on chimichangas, and many other great dishes. Lynne had a great sense-of-humor and loved to laugh with others. In her words, “Only the shell remains, the nut is gone.” food service and nutrition management.
On July 17, 1976, she was united in marriage to Michael “Mike” Robert Peterson at the Methodist Church in Boone and to this union two daughters, Stephanie and Amy, were born. Lynne and Mike shared nearly 44 years of marriage prior to Mike’s passing on July 11, 2020.
Lynne is survived by her children, Stephanie Clark and Amy Peterson; her three grandchildren, Micheala Clark, Jamie Lynne Clark, and Jesse Paul Peterson; and siblings, Kevin Hester, Kalen (Scott) Petersen, and Brad (Cindy) O’Neal; stepbrother Ron (Stephanie) O’Neal, stepsisters Faye Scribner and Ruth Fridlington; her nieces and nephews, Dillon Hester, Shelby (Grant) Purcell, Sean (Megan) O’Neal, Hannah (Zack) McCoy, Lisa (Steve) Burianek, and Ben (Maddy) O’Neal along with several step nieces and nephews. Lynne is also survived by many great nieces and nephews, cousins and good friends.
Lynne is preceded in death by her husband, Mike; her parents, Howard (Marj) Hester and Mary (Leonard) O’Neal, a stepsister Debbie Danielson; and a stepbrother, Bob O’Neal.
Visitation will be held from 1-2 p.m. on Friday, June 20 at the Tharp Funeral Home in Albia, with Lynne’s family present to greet family and friends.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, June 20 at the Tharp Funeral Home in Albia, with Pastor Walt Claussen officiating. A private family burial will be held at Oak View Cemetery at a later date.
A memorial has been established to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.
Condolences and memories to the family may be left online at www.tharpfh.com.
