Darleen Hiatt Peterson, age 96, a resident of Wheaton, IL, passed away Monday, October 1, 2007 at Central DuPage Hospital in Winfield, IL. She was born October 9, 1910 in Corning, IA.

Darleen was the second oldest of thirteen children born to Pearl and Charles Hiatt. She spent much of her early life in South Dakota and Minnesota. She entered Southern Normal in Springfield, South Dakota where she majored in elementary education and appeared in college drama presentations. She won speaking awards for poetry presentations and was active in the Star and local church groups in South Dakota.

Darleen taught in South Dakota schools where her husband, Mr. Leslie H. Peterson was also Superintendent of Schools and principal. Mrs. Peterson and her daughter, Bonnie, lived in Michigan, Texas, Kansas, and Illinois while Mr. Peterson was Field Director for the American Red Cross in the United States and also in Germany. She was a beautiful seamstress, homemaker and supportive mother and wife during her long and accomplished life. Her longevity was due to strong religious beliefs, values, respect for tradition and the priority of family.

She is survived by her daughter, Dr. Bonnita "Bonnie" Peterson of Wheaton; her sister, Delores Zellmer of Minnesota; her brother Kelly Hiatt of Kansas; a niece, Rossalyn Hiatt of Downers Grove, IL; and many other nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Leslie H. Peterson; six brothers, Delbert, Howard, Ralph, Floyd, Ross, and Rhynold; and four sisters, Thelma, Evelyn, Hazel, and Bernadine.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, October 4, from 4-8 P.M. at Hultgren Funeral Home, 304 N. Main St., in Wheaton, where a funeral service will be held on Friday, October 5, at 10:00 A.M. Interment will follow at Wheaton Cemetery.

Memorial gifts may be directed to the Blackburn Family Association, 300 East 17th Avenue, Apt. 1219, Denver, CO 80203-1223.