Peterson, Colleen Faye (Voehl) 1936 - 2022
PETERSON, VOEHL, RUE, MATTSON, NOLTNER, THOMSON, BOND, CARNES, BERNKLAU, ROSE, LARSEN, LUEDKE
Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 9/16/2022 at 10:53:07
Colleen Peterson age 86 of Decorah, Iowa passed away on Thursday, September 8, 2022, at Winneshiek Medical Center in Decorah.
Funeral Services will be at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, September 13, 2022, at the First Lutheran Church, 604 W Broadway St. in Decorah with Rev. Michael Wilker presiding. Burial will be in the Lutheran Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service on Tuesday at the church.
This service will be livestreamed starting at 11:00 a.m. Click on the following link to view:https://youtu.be/GLaD5PtMXvQ
Colleen Faye (Voehl) Peterson was born on a particularly snowy day March 2, 1936 on the family farm outside of Lakefield, MN to William & Oline (Rue) Voehl. As a surprise second baby, she and twin sister Karen joined older brother Richard making them a cozy family of five. She was baptized at home and later confirmed in the Lutheran faith at Immanuel Lutheran Church. She died Thursday, September 8, 2022 at Winneshiek Medical Center in Decorah, IA.
Growing up, Colleen enjoyed raising and showing their prized Angus beef cattle. She won Grand Champion with her steer “Mumbles” at the 1948 Minnesota State Fair. Colleen could often be seen twirling her baton in many summer parades and in the winter loved ice skating. Through 4-H, she developed a love of sewing and continued as a skilled seamstress making clothes for her family and many home projects. Her love of music and the clarinet led her to northeast Iowa where she played with the Luther College Concert Band. Graduating in the Class of 1958, she earned her degree in elementary education.
Colleen met her husband, the late Roger Peterson while attending Luther College. They were married at her home church on June 28, 1958. Colleen started her teaching career and daughter Miri was born during the internship year in Casper, Wyoming. During the senior year of seminary in Minnesota, Kari was born and she was baptized on the same day as Roger’s ordination. Their first call brought them to the small town of Lily, South Dakota where son Kent was born. This was a busy time playing the role of the pastor’s wife with three babies at home. Iowa became home with their move to Clermont. Four years later, they moved to Marion where Sarah was born. Colleen founded the Wee Wisdom Preschool at St. Paul Lutheran Church while in Holstein. Sarah remembers assisting her mother with preschool prep, tracing, cutting, gluing and glittering.
When they moved to Decorah, Colleen began her work as a speech educational assistant for the Keystone Area Education Agency. This position gave her the opportunity to work one-to-one with children and their speech development until her retirement in 1999. Within the Decorah community, she was an active and faithful member within the women’s groups and the cemetery committee of First Lutheran Church, Luther College Women’s Club, joined the West Side Study Club and led tours for Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum. Roger and Colleen enjoyed many adventures together. International and domestic travel, family road and camping trips and working on their cabin at Little Spirit Lake were some of their favorites.
As a caregiver herself, she began an elevated mothering role navigating complex medical issues for Sarah as an infant. This continued as she nurtured preemie babies, siblings, other family and friends. She set an outstanding example for all of us. She is treasured for her dedication to her kids' sporting events, theater productions, concerts, music lessons, schoolwork and various church commitments. She combined her teaching skills with motherhood beautifully. Being “Gramma” or “Grammy” to some, was one of her most cherished roles. Reading, cooking, baking, playing games, supporting her grandchildren’s concerts, games and activities filled her calendar. She was thrilled to welcome a new great grandson to her family on August 28, 2022.
Colleen is preceded in death by her husband Roger, parents William and Oline (Rue) Voehl, twin sister Karen and her husband Len Larsen, brother Richard Voehl, father and mother in law Irie and Evangeline (Luedke) Peterson, sister in law Margene Peterson, brother in law Robert Michaels and other family and close friends.
She is survived by her children: Miri (Paul) Mattson, Decorah, IA; Kari (Steve) Noltner, Pewaukee, WI; Kent (Lois) Peterson, East Garrison, CA; and Sarah (John) Thomson, Burnsville, MN. Seven grandchildren: Maren (Nate Bond) Mattson, Berit (Brian) Rose, Erik (Nadia) Mattson, Michael (Katie Carnes) Noltner, Bethany (Dylan Bernklau) Noltner, Aaron Thomson, Cecily Thomson and great grandson Collin Mattson. Sisters in law: Lila Voehl and Elizabeth (Peterson) Michaels, brothers in law: Harold Peterson, Jon (Sandra) Peterson, Donald (Dorothy) Peterson, Luther (Bonnie) Peterson and many beloved nieces, nephews and friends.
With deep appreciation the family wishes to thank the dedicated staff of Wellington Place for their kindness and the extraordinary care Colleen received in the past four years. We are truly grateful.
Source: Helms Funeral Home database
Lutheran Decorah Cemetery
Winneshiek Obituaries maintained by Jeff Getchell.
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