Ivana Peterson

Ivana F. Peterson, 80, of Bartlett for 26 years died Tuesday, June 13, 2023. Born May 20, 1943, in Chicago and raised in Cicero where she met her husband, Jon, and started a family. Many friends and family knew Ivana by her nickname, Cheech. She is the beloved wife of Jon; cherished mother of Nikki (Bob) Bilek; adored mother-in-law of Farhan (Sifana) Alvi; cherished grandma of the late Shana Alvi; dear daughter of the late Phil and Jean Poterek; kind sister of Celeste (Jack) Noel and late brother Herb Poterek.

After 12 years of boarding school (Our Lady of Bethlehem Academy and Nazareth Academy), Ivana went on to beauty school to become a hairdresser, a profession she loved dearly. She helped run the family business for a time until her mothers’ passing. She always kept busy and was very creative. Being a talented seamstress and crafting aficionado filled her down time. Ivana was well known for her extravagant and marvelous annual Luau parties; a tradition she joyfully celebrated with her family and friends. She had a tremendous sense of humor and lived her life with laughter and kindness. She was active in the Catholic church and later became a eucharistic minister for a time. She would have celebrated her 56th wedding anniversary with Jon on the 17th of June. Ivana lived a full life as a devoted wife, mother and friend; she will be truly missed by all who knew and loved her. She will be remembered always as a strong-willed woman with a heart of gold.

Memorial visitation is Monday, June 19th, 2023, from 2:00pm until 7:00pm with prayers to be said at 5:30pm at the Countryside Funeral Home and Crematory, 950 South Bartlett Rd, Bartlett. Cremation is private at the Countryside Crematory.