Mary Isabelle (Wehrle) Peterson (2007)

PETERSON, WEHRLE, ROBINSON, MENG, KNIGHT, SAHAROFF, WORLEY, RATLIFF, MALASHKO

Posted By: Pat Hochstetler (email)
Date: 12/27/2007 at 17:11:53

Stuart Herald
Stuart, Iowa
Thursday, December 6, 2007

Mary Peterson

Mary Isabelle Peterson, 94, died Saturday, Nov. 24, 2007 in Winterset.

Services were held Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2007 at Kuhn Funeral Home in Earlham with Pastor Neal Hanley of Earlham officiating. Special music included "The Old Rugged Cross," "Amazing Grace," and "Just a Closer Walk With Thee."

Bearers were Chris Biondi, Dustin Kinnick, Jared Collins, and Roger McVey.

Interment was in the Earlham Cemetery, Earlham.

Mary Isabelle Peterson was born Aug. 8, 1913 to Bessie (Elizabeth) Robinson and Leslie Ray Wehrle in Sappington, Mont. Her father was a railroad telegrapher and they moved across the country, living in Virginia and Florida, and finally growing up in Albia. Her mother moved the family to Des Moines. Mary graduated from East High School with the class of 1933.

In 1940, she married Carl E. Peterson. They had two daughters, Marilyn and Suzanne, before moving to Earlham in 1947. Mary was active in the American Legion Auxiliary and enjoyed playing bridge and participating in a bowling league. She enjoyed sewing and making dresses for her girls.

Mary worked in accounting positions through the years, including the Ordinance Plant in Ankeny during World War II. She commuted from Earlham for 35 years to work at Hills Department Store, Valley Bank, and Brady Motor Freight in Des Moines before retiring.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Carl; a daughter, Suzanne; six siblings, Esther Meng, Jack Wehrle, Catherine Knight, Francis Wehrle, Virginia Saharoff, and Elbert Wehrle, and a half-brother, Lucas Worley.

Survivors include a daughter, Marilyn and Allen Ratliff; four grandchildren; five great-grandchildren, and two sisters-in-law, Donna Wehrle and Irene Malashko.

Kuhn Funeral Homes of Dexter, Earlham, and Redfield was in charge of arrangements.