Laurel A. Petrone

Laurel A. Petrone, 66, of Hillsboro, Illinois, passed away on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, at 8:15 a.m. at HSHS St. John’s Hospital in Springfield, Illinois. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, April 9, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. at Bass Patton Dean Funeral Home in Hillsboro, Illinois, with Pastor Stefan Munker officiating. Visitation will be held prior to the funeral service, on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm.

Laurel was born on October 16, 1958, in McVille, North Dakota, to Raymond Benhard and Viola (Anderson) Flaagan. She grew up in Tolna, graduating from Tolna High School, and later earned a bachelor’s degree in business from Moorhead University. On June 21, 1986, Laurel married Gary Petrone in Springfield, Illinois. Together they raised their son Alex and shared nearly 40 wonderful years of marriage. The family spent time in Grand Tower and Springfield before settling in Hillsboro. Faith was important to Laurel and she and her family had attended St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Hillsboro.

Laurel had a kind and generous spirit and was deeply devoted to her family. She worked for many years as a secretary for the County of Springfield and later, retired from Alpine in Litchfield, Illinois. Known for her positive outlook and zest for life, she found joy in the simple things: caring for her houseplants, knitting, sewing, and especially spending time with those she loved. She had a special fondness for animals, in particular cats and dogs. Family meant everything to Laurel. She looked forward to her yearly trips back to North Dakota and treasured every moment spent with her loved ones. Laurel was an optimist, a nurturer, and a woman who loved life.

Preceding Laurel in death are her parents, Raymond and Viola; brother, Benhard; and sister-in-law, Diane Stone.

She is survived by her husband, Gary and son, Alex of Hillsboro, Illinois; brother, Duane (Becky) Flaagan, of Tolna, North Dakota; in-laws, Tony (Cheryl) Petrone, of Arlington Heights, Illinois, Steve (Jodie) Petrone, of Bedford, Texas, Dan (Sally) Petrone of Springfield, Illinois, Rick (Sue) Petrone of Rochester, Illinois, and Rita (Ken) Kirakos of Loveland, Colorado; several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

In lieu of flowers and gifts, donations are encouraged to: Memorials Processing, St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tennessee, 38105.

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