Genevieve Strait Peterson 1893-1918

PETERSON, STRAIT

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 5/3/2011 at 19:48:46

Mr. J. B. Strait was called to Colorado Springs Saturday by the serious illness of his daughter, Mrs. Genevieve Peterson. He reached her bedside a day before she died. (Vindicator and Republican, Estherville, IA, October 23, 1918)

Mrs. Arthur Peterson Dies of Pneumonia
A telegram was received Tuesday [October 22, 1918] afternoon by Mrs. J. B. Strait that her daughter, Mrs. Arthur Peterson, had died of pneumonia in a hospital in Colorado Springs Colorado, at twelve o’clock that day. Her father was with her at the time of her death and will arrive in Estherville with the body Friday morning. The burial services will be held in the afternoon and interment made in Oak Hill cemetery by the side of her husband and baby.

Mrs. Peterson went to Colorado Springs last June where she secured a position as a nurse in one of the hospitals. She enjoyed the work and was getting along nicely until about three weeks ago when she was taken ill with influenza. She recovered from that apparently when she again went to work, but soon after contracted pneumonia, from which she died in a few days.

Mrs. Peterson was formerly Miss Genevieve Strait, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. B. Strait of this city. About four years ago she was united in marriage to Mr. Arthur Peterson, but he soon after contracted consumption and died of it last winter. Mrs. Peterson was a young lady of great bravery and fortitude and withstood the shock remarkably well and soon was on the look out for a position to make herself a livelihood. She chose that of nursing and on account of her health decided that Colorado Springs was the best place for her. For a number of years she was a compositor in the office of the Vindicator and Republican and during these years was one of the paper’s most valued employees.

She was a member of the Christian church, a faithful attendant and in every sense a Christian lady. Her untimely death is a great shock and loss to her parents and community. (Vindicator and Republican, Estherville, IA, October 23, 1918)

Genevieve Strait-Peterson
Genevieve Strait-Peterson, eldest daughter of James B. and Mary C. Strait, was born in Northwood, Iowa, October 5, 1893. Soon afterwards the family moved to Estherville, which has become their established residence. It was here our subject grew up, received her education, and laid the foundation for that beautiful and useful life she lived. As so many have said, to know here was to admire her. At the age of twelve she heard the call of the Lord, and obeyed him, and ever since has been loyal and whole hearted in his service. For many years she taught a Sunday school class and assisted in many other ways to promote the church of Christ. Having a personality that was magnetic she naturally became a leader of a host of young people of Estherville and took delight in providing pleasant evenings of entertainment for them. Her home life, of course, was but a reflection of her life without. She was the pride of the home, the comfort and joy of her parents. In March 12, 1912, she was united in marriage to George A. Peterson, and to this union one child was born. But fate was cruel and merciless, as scarcely was this child given them till it was taken away. But after all, possibly it was best since the family was so soon dissolved in death. In February 27, 1918, Mr. Peterson was taken, and even in such despair this brave woman met the stern reality with great fortitude and courage and would not give up., but entered the battle of life anew, taking up the profession of nurse. She was completing her course when the dreaded plague of influenza attacked her, but would not have claimed her but for her ambitious spirit asserting itself in her too hastily assuming her work, which brought on a relapse which was more than her frail body could stand, and she has fallen asleep to await the recognition and reward of her Savior. How fitting are these words of praise of a life crowned with years of patient, kindly and loving ministry:

Beautiful toiler, thy work is done,
Beautiful soul into glory gone,
Beautiful life with its crown now won;
God giveth thee rest.
Rest from all sorrow, watching and tears,
Rest from all possible sighing and fears
Rest through all God’s endless wonderful years,
At home with the blest.
(Estherville Democrat, Estherville, IA, October 30, 1918)