Joan M. Petersen

A celebration of Life for Joan Petersen, age 88, of Norfolk Nebraska will be held at the Elkhorn Valley Museum in Norfolk on May 30, 2026, from 1:00 to 4:00 pm.

Joan Marie Petersen passed away on February 17, 2026, at Faith Regional Health Services in Norfolk.

Home for Funerals in Norfolk is in charge of arrangements.

Joan was born on May 29, 1937, at the hospital in Butte, Nebraska, to William and Alma (Lueken) Tappe. She spent her early childhood in Butte before her family moved to Creston. Joan graduated from Humphrey St. Francis High School.

Joan married Richard Mansfield and together they welcomed four sons: Richard, Gerald, Michael, and William. After their divorce, Joan worked at various jobs before beginning her career at the Goodyear Hose plant in Norfolk where she remained until her retirement.

Joan married Elwood Petersen and cherished their time together at their cabin along the Missouri river, creating many special memories there with family and friends.

Joan loved gardening, pets, feeding birds and squirrels, and bargain hunting, but above all she treasured spending time with family and friends.

She is survived by her brothers, Duane (Diana) Tappe and Melvin (Terri) Tappe; sons, Richard Mansfield, Gerald (Janet) Mansfield, Michael Mansfield, and William Mansfield; five grandchildren, Jenny Mansfield, Randy Mansfield, Nicole (Logan) Laughlin, Summer Puls-Mansfield, and Zachary (Kelly) Mansfield; along with great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

Joan was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Loretta Ludemann; three brothers, Harold Tappe, Ron Tappe, and Don Tappe; husbands; granddaughter, Emilia Puls-Mansfield; and grandson, Jake Mansfield.

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