WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Cornelia Aileen (Cordes) Petritz, 76, of West Lafayette, Indiana quietly slipped away from this life, surrounded by her two children and husband on Friday, Feb. 24. She was born in Rockford on Nov. 3, 1946, to Margaret (Ferguson) and Floyd Cordes.

Cornelia grew up in Oregon attending Ruby Nash Elementary School and went on to graduate from Oregon High School in 1964. She graduated in 1968 from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville with her bachelor of science degree in elementary education. Cornelia was introduced to her future husband, David, at a New Year’s Eve party in 1963 and they were married on June 29, 1968, in Oregon. They moved in 1972 for David’s first job at Purdue University and they raised their loving family in West Lafayette. Cornelia gave her heart and soul to her family, her local P.E.O Chapter, her community, and the Purdue University men’s basketball team. Cornelia dearly loved to bake, and family and friends were often the lucky recipients. She was also the family photographer, her photo books and albums are treasured keepsakes that documented numerous family milestones and the abundance of wildlife that she enjoyed viewing from her porch. Her world revolved around being a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister and a dear friend to all those she knew. In her words, she was happiest when with her children and grandchildren. Cornelia was a loving soul who had only kind words and a smile for everyone.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her grandparents.
She is survived by her husband, David Petritz; daughter, Katie Duszynski (Ron); son, Steven Petritz (Olivia); grandchildren, Nathan and Margaret Duszynski, Eloise and Theodore Petritz; sister, Susan Faust (Andy); nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life will be held in West Lafayette, Indiana in spring 2023 and Oregon in summer 2023. Arrangements pending.
The family would like donations in Cornelia’s memory to be made to the P.E.O. Sisterhood. Checks can be made payable to P.E.O. Program for Continuing Education and sent to Jane Heman, P.E.O. Chapter CW Treasurer, 3504 Wakefield Drive, West Lafayette, IN 47906.

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