Laurel A. Petrone, 66, of Hillsboro, died on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, at 8:15 a.m. at HSHS St. John’s Hospital in Springfield.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, April 9, at Bass Patton Dean Funeral Home in Hillsboro, with Pastor Stefan Munker officiating. Visitation will be held prior to the funeral service, on Wednesday, April 9, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Mrs. Petrone was born on Oct. 16, 1958, in McVille, ND, to Raymond Benhard and Viola (Anderson) Flaagan. She grew up in Tolna, ND, graduating from Tolna High School and later earned a bachelor’s degree in business from Moorhead University.
On June 21, 1986, she married Gary Petrone in Springfield. 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 Mrs. Petrone and she and her family had attended St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Hillsboro.
Mrs. Petrone 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. 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. Mrs. Petrone had a special fondness for animals, in particular cats and dogs. Family meant everything to her. She looked forward to her yearly trips back to North Dakota and treasured every moment spent with her loved ones. Mrs. Petrone was an optimist, a nurturer and a woman who loved life.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Raymond and Viola; brother, Benhard; and sister-in-law, Diane Stone.
Mrs. Petrone is survived by her husband, Gary; and son, Alex of Hillsboro; brother, Duane (Becky) Flaagan, of Tolna, ND; in-laws, Tony (Cheryl) Petrone, of Arlington Heights, Steve (Jodie) Petrone, of Bedford, TX, Dan (Sally) Petrone of Springfield, Rick (Sue) Petrone of Rochester and Rita (Ken) Kirakos of Loveland, CO; as well as several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
In lieu of flowers and gifts, donations are encouraged to: Memorials Processing, St. Jude Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tennessee, 38105.
