Gerlach, Stella G. (Johnson) Peterson 1906-2003

CHRISTIANSON, JOHNSON, PETERSON, GERLACH, TREANOR, ROBEY, DERBY, KILBURG, DEMPEWOLF, CROWLEY

Posted By: Mary Durr (email)
Date: 10/21/2003 at 14:35:09

Stella G. Peterson Gerlach

Telegraph Herald, Dubuque, Ia. - Monday, May 12, 2003

Stella G. Peterson Gerlach, 97, of Bethany Home, formerly of Bellevue, Iowa, died Saturday, May 10, 2003, at Bethany Home.

Services will be at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday at Egelhof, Siegert & Casper Westview Funeral Home, 2659 Kennedy Road, where friends may call from 11 to 12:30 p.m. Tuesday. Burial will be in Linwood Cemetery.

She was born on March 16, 1906, in St. Olaf, Iowa, daughter of Nicholas and Betsy (Christianson) Johnson. She was married to Clarence Peterson until his death on Oct. 9, 1959. She later married William Gerlach on Oct. 21, 1978; he died on May 5, 1991.

She worked at the former General Dry Battery for many years. Stella enjoyed her family very much, she loved spending the holidays with everyone and sharing her talent of making the best norwegian pastry around.

Surviving are a son, Larry (Alice) Peterson, of Dubuque; two daughters, Norma (Cliff) Treanor and Bernice (Stanley) Robey, both of Dubuque; two stepsons, Darrell Gerlach, of Blaine, Minn., and William Gerlach, of Dubuque; four stepdaughters, Jean (William) Derby, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Betty (David) Kilburg and Jeanette (Ron) Dempewolf, both of Bellevue, Iowa, and Jeanice Crowley, of Colorado; a daughter-in-law, Lela Peterson, of Freeborn, Minn.; 13 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; 11 great-great-grandchildren; and a sister-in-law, Ethlyn Johnson, of Garnavillo, Iowa.

She also was preceded in death by two sons, Peter and Frederick Peterson; four brothers; and three sisters.

A Stella G. Gerlach Memorial Fund has been established.