Peterson, Leona Irene (1928 – 2012)

PETERSON, MERDINGER, ZIMMERMAN, NIELSEN, MADSEN, HANSEN, JOHNSON

Posted By: Denise Wurner (email)
Date: 8/4/2013 at 16:26:22

Name of Deceased: Leona Irene Peterson (nee Nielsen)

Aged: 84 yrs, 6 mo, 26 days

Residence: Harlan, IA

Born: March 6, 1928, Shelby, IA

Died: Oct. 2, 2012, Harlan, IA

Funeral services: Saturday, Oct. 6, 2012; United Evangelical Lutheran Church; Shelby, IA; Burial in the Shelby Cemetery, Shelby, IA.

Survived by: Daughters, Linda (spouse, Gene) Merdinger of Underwood, IA, and Terry (spouse, Glen) Zimmerman of Council Bluffs, IA; Sons, Leslie (spouse, Tina) Peterson of Gretna, NE, Jeffrey Peterson of Green River, WY, Kevin (spouse, Sun) Peterson of Shelby, IA, Clark (spouse, Sue) Peterson of Reedsburg, WI, Jon (spouse, Linda) Peterson of Walnut, IA; Brothers, Ivan Nielsen of Omaha, NE, and Wayne (spouse, Linda) Nielsen of Surprise, AZ; Sisters-in-law, Janice Nielsen of Hancock, IA, Genevieve (spouse, Roger) Madsen of Omaha, NE, and Marlene Peterson of Denver, CO; Brother-in-law, Daniel (spouse, Donna) Hansen of Vista, CA; 17 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren.

Predeceased by: parents, Otmann and Ida Marie (nee Johnson) Nielsen; husband, Wayne Peterson (deceased Dec. 18, 1981); sister, Norma Agnita Hansen; brothers, Paul L. Nielsen, and Eric Nielsen (in infancy); 2 infant great-grandsons.

Religions affiliation: Baptized and confirmed at United Evangelical Lutheran Church, Shelby, IA

Education: Shelby, IA schools; graduated from Shelby High School, Class of 1946

Marriage: Wayne Willard Peterson, Nov. 10, 1946; Shelby Lutheran Church, Shelby, IA

Employment: farming with spouse at Corley and Walnut, IA; employed by Grant & Ellen Rihner as a child care giver and housekeeper, 1950 – (unknown year). Established a baking business from her home; employed as a baker & chef for area restaurants. Twenty years for REM-Leadway, Shelby, as a craft teacher.

Hobbies/Interests: Life-long member, United Evangelical Lutheran Church in Shelby, IA, having served terms on church council, as Bible School Superintendent, as Sunday School Superintendent, and as a member of the Ladies Aide and “Couplettes”. Member, Legion Auxiliary for 32 years; member, Shelby Alumni Association, PTA, Senior Citizen, Bridges, the Rebekahs; assisted with various community events. Enjoyed baking and cooking; assisted people in the community who needed help with transportation for various appointments and errands. Also assisted others with both child and adult care duties. Enjoyed ceramics, woodworking, garage sales, Pinochle Club, Bingo, history, and genealogy. Additionally, she designed and made applique/pieced quilts for each family member.

Source: burmeisterjohannsen.com