Darline L. Petersen, 69, Elmhurst, Ill., died March 21, 2013, after an extended hospitalization. She was born in Elgin, Ill., to the late Russell and Leona Petersen of Burlington, and spent the majority of her school years on a dairy farm near Burlington. There she was valedictorian of the high school class of 1961.

She held degrees from the University of Wisconsin and The John Marshall Law School and entered the Illinois Bar in 1970. After practicing law in Wheaton, Ill., for nearly 20 years, she made a career change to follow her favorite pastime, cooking. After graduating from College of DuPage and until her retirement in 2008, she worked as a chef and food service manager, as well as a teacher of Restaurant and Hotel Law.

She and her husband Gene were avid sailors on Lake Michigan, and enjoyed traveling, hiking in the Grand Canyon and taking cooking lessons in Europe. She was an active and longtime member of the Unitarian Church of Hinsdale. As she approached retirement, she began exploring her artistic side, honing her skills in quilting, drawing, and painting. During the past decade, she also spent much time working with her brother to renovate and revitalize their parent’s farm where they grew up.

Survivors include her husband of 40 years, Eugene E. Parvin; brother, Ralph (Helen Horn) Petersen, Madison; niece and nephew, Katrina (Martin Perez) Petersen, San Diego, and Ryan (Becky) Petersen, Cottage Grove. She was further preceded in death by sister-in-law, Elizabeth Petersen.

 There will be a private interment. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Unitarian Church of Hinsdale Endowment Fund are suggested. Ahlgrim Funeral Home, Elmhurst, is serving the family. Well-wishers can visit  www.ahlgrim.com.