AUBURN – Leonette Ursula Petersen, 83, of Auburn died Thursday, Aug. 17, at Clover Manor, where she has lived for the past five years.

She was born in Waterville on March 20, 1923, the eldest daughter of Odias and Nathalie (Gilbert) Couture. Upon graduating from Waterville High School in 1941, she moved to the Lewiston-Auburn area. She worked for many years at Painchaud’s Dress Shop on Lisbon Street in Lewiston, and at a local shoe factory.

She married Rudolph Petersen, with whom she traveled to Denmark on two occasions. He died on May 15, 1984.

She could always entertain listeners with fascinating anecdotes of her travels with Rudy.

She was a member of the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul and spoke of “her basilica” with great pride.

She is survived by a sister, Carmel Theberge of Auburn; a brother, Wilfred Couture of Casco; a stepdaughter, Carol Snow; two stepgrandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her brothers, Laurier, Roger, Reginald and Jerome Couture; and her sister, Marcelle Donahue.