Laura M. Petersen, 99

Laura M. Petersen, 99, of Blair, died Monday, March 10, 2008, at Crowell Memorial Home in Blair.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday, March 13, at the Herman Community Church. Interment will be in the Herman Cemetery.

Visitation will be from noon until 8 p.m. Wednesday, March 12, at Campbell-Aman Funeral Home with the family receiving friends from 6 to 8 p.m.

Laura May Stokes was born Aug. 2, 1908, in Herman to J.P. and Maude (Arnold) Stokes. She grew up on the family farm, west of Herman and graduated with the Class of 1927.

She was a longtime member of the Methodist Church.

On Sept. 1, 1929, she married Peter Albert “Ab” Petersen of Herman at the Stokes family home.

The couple lived and farmed in the Hill Creek and New England areas. As a farm wife, she took care of the home, helped with chores, and raised chickens, ducks and geese. She always had a garden, canned fruits and vegetables, prepared preserves and jellies, and baked many goodies.

She belonged to the Extension Club, American Legion Auxiliary, card clubs, and cherished time with her parents, sibling and their families.

She had a varied work history, working at both the Lutheran and University hospitals in Omaha, the Freeman Café in Herman, and the Wilkinson Manufacturing Company at Fort Calhoun.

She was a strong and dedicated lady to her family and friends.

Mr. and Mrs. Petersen had five sons. After the sudden death of their daughter-in-law, they opened their home to two grandsons. After the remarriage of their father, the two grandsons returned to live with their father.

Mrs. Petersen is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, Earl and Petty Petersen of Arlington, Va., and Curtis and Marilyn Petersen of Carrollton, Texas; two daughters-in-law, Neva Petersen of Stroudsburg, Penn., and Joline Petersen of Gulfport, Miss.; 11 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; a sister, Mardelle Wulf; brother and sister-in-law, Earl and Doris Stokes, all of Blair and sister-in-law, LaVerne Stokes of Fremont.

She was preceded in death by husband, Ab; three sons, Donald Petersen Sr., Ralph Petersen, and Clifford Petersen; one grandson, Donald Petersen Jr.; five brothers, Shirley “Jay” Stokes, Charles “Lester” Stokes, James Stokes, Jay “Junior” Stokes, Jr., and Louis Stokes; two sisters, Marjorie Katt and Luella Rolfs; two brothers-in-law; four sisters-in-law; and two daughters-in-law.

Memorials are suggested to the Herman Community Church or Crowell Memorial Home Chapel.

#2 Funeral leaflet

(photo)

In Loving Memory of Laura M. Petersen

Born August 2, 1908 Herman, Nebraska ~ Entered Into Rest March 10, 2008 Blair, Nebraska

Funeral Services 10:30am Thursday, March 13, 2008 Herman Community Church, Herman, Nebraska. Officiating: Rev. Robert Meanor. Family Memories: Marilyn Petersen. Organist: Clare Cowing, Robert Widener. Vocal Selections: “Beautiful Savior”, “How Great Thou Art”, “Nearer My God To Thee”

Casket bearers: Arnold Katt, Don Kuhr, David Katt, Ron Livermore, Phillip Katt, Hank Neff

Honorary bearers: Craig Petersen, Doug Petersen John Petersen, Lonnie Petersen, David Petersen, Michael Petersen, Paul Petersen, Tommy Petersen, Curtis & Marilyn Petersen, Earl & Betty Petersen, Earl & Doris Stokes, Mardelle Wulf

Laura May Stokes was born on August 2, 1908 in Washington County, Herman, Nebraska, the second of ten children born to J.P. and Maude (Arnold) Stokes. She grew up on the Stokes farm west of Hoerman, graduated from the Class of 1927 and was a long-time member of the Methodist Church. She passed away on Monday, March 10th at Crowell Memorial Home in Blair, Nebraska, leaving family and friends with fond memories.

On September 1, 1929 Laura Stokes and Peter Albert “Ab” Petersen, both of Herman, were married in the Stokes family home. They became parents of five sons, Earl, Donald, Ralph, Clifford and Curtis. After the sudden death of their daughter-in-law, Helga “Helen” Petersen (Mrs. Donald Sr.), they opened their home to their two grandsons, Donald Jr. and Lonnie Petersen. After a period of time, Donald Sr. married Neva Cross and Lara and Ab’s grandsons returned to live with their dad.

Laura and Ab lived and farmed in the Hill Creek and New England areas. As a farm wife, she took care of the house, helped with the chores, and raised chickens, geese, and ducks. She always had a garden, canned fruits and vegetables, prepared preserves, jellies and baked a multiple of goodies. Laura belonged to the Extension Club, American Legion Auxiliary, card clubs, and cherished time with her parents, siblings and their families. In the ensuing years, Laura had a varied work history at the Lutheran and University Hospitals in Omaha, the Freeman Café in Herman and the Wilkinson Manufacturing Plant in Fort Calhoun. She was a strong and dedicated lady to her family and friends.

Laura is survived by two sons and their wives, Earl and Betty Petersen of Arlington, VA, Curtis and Marilyn Petersen of Carrollton, Texas, two daughters-in-law, Mrs. Donald Petersen (Neva) of Stroudsburg, PA, and Mrs. Ralph Petersen (Joline) of Gulfport, Mississippi; eleven grandchildren, fourteen great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren. Additional survivors include her sister, Mardelle (Mrs. Harlan “Hi” Wulf) and her brother and sister-in-law, Earl and Doris Stokes, all of Blair, and sister-in-law LaVerne Stokes (Mrs. Jay Stokes) of Fremont.

Laura was preceded in death by her parents, J.P. and Maude Stokes; husband, Peter Albert “Ab” Petersen; three sons, Donald Petersen Sr., Ralph Petersen and Clifford Petersen; one grandson, Donald Petersen Jr., five brothers, Shirley “Jay” Stokes, Charles “Lester” Stokes, James Stokes, Jay “Junior” Stokes and infant brother, Louis Stokes; two sisters, Marjorie Katt and Luella Rolfs. Also preceding Laura were two brothers-in-law; four sisters-in-law; and two daughters-in-law.

Memorials may be directed to the Herman Community Church or Crowell Memorial Home Chapel.

~~~obituary and funeral leaflet courtesy of the Nebraska Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Public Library, Blair, Nebraska ~~~

FindaGrave # 98506480