Elinor L. Petersen Obituary (1924 - 2015)

Elinor L. Petersen, 91, died Friday, July 10 at her home in Blue Springs. She was born February 19, 1924 on a farm near Blue Springs. She graduated from Beatrice High School in 1941, and attended the University of Nebraska, Lincoln and Southeast Community College, Beatrice. Elinor was a teacher in the Gage County Rural School District Number 35, Pleasant Prairie (Little Blue), Grit and Rockford schools. On June 12, 1945 she married Dale N. Petersen; they lived and farmed in the Virginia/ Holmesville area, before moving to Blue Springs in 1961 where she began working for the Department of Agriculture for ASCS/Farm Service Agency and Farmers Home Administration/RECD. After retiring in 1991, she worked for Farmers Home Administration as an individual contractor through 1995. Elinor was very active in her church and community. She was a member of the Wymore United Presbyterian Church where she served on the Memorial Committee, Outreach Committee as Treasurer, Mariners officers, and was a Deacon and Elder. She taught Sunday school, was a member of the Bible Study group, and was the church pianist for many years. She was a member and past Worthy Matron of Violet Chapter #105, Order of Eastern Star at Wymore where she held many offices, and currently a member of Vesper Chapter #9 of Beatrice. She was Treasurer of the Blue Springs Cemetery Association for 25 years; Member of Blue Springs Fire Belles, Welsh Centre, National Association of Retired Federal Employees and AARP. Her hobbies included music, sewing, reading, cooking and baking and traveling to visit family. Her family and friends were a great inspiration to her. She is survived by her Daughter, Sharon K. Wabs and husband Carl of Redlands, California; Son, Roger L. Petersen and wife Louisa J. Hayward of Houston, Texas; Grandsons Michael Wabs and wife Jane of Placentia, CA and Daniel Wabs and wife Jarfa of Ladera Ranch, CA; Great Grandson, Christopher Petersen Wabs of Placentia, CA and Great Granddaughter, Kayla Shay Wabs of Ladera Ranch, CA. She is also survived by her Sister, Viola Poppen of Wymore, Sisters-in-law, Ruby Morris and Lucille Morris of Blue Springs, Betty Novotny of Beatrice and special friend Dick Ullman, Dorothy Hofeling and husband Willy of Beatrice, several nieces, nephews, cousins and special family friends: Dr. R. Michael and Mary Norris and family of Lincoln. She was preceded in death by her parents, Arthur and Clara (Yother/Witzenberg) Morris, husband, Dale N. Petersen, 1993 and son, Daryl Dean Petersen, 1971; brothers, Elwin L. and Leland D. Morris; Father and Mother-in-law, Andrew and Sara Petersen; sister-in-law, Mildred McCandless and husband Harry; brothers-in-law, John Feit, Archie Novotny, Alfred Poppen, Raymond Petersen and nephews: Stanley Hofeling, Lynn and Larry Morris. Funeral Services will be held on Friday, July 17 at 10:30 am at the Wymore United Presbyterian Church with Rev. James McNeal officiating. Burial will be in the Blue Springs Cemetery. The body will lie in state Thursday from 10-9:00 at the Laughlin-Hoevet Funeral Home in Wymore with the family greeting friends from 6:30-8:00, and at the church one hour preceding the service on Friday. A memorial is established to Wymore Presbyterian Church, Blue Springs Cemetery and family choice with the Wymore Presbyterian Church coordinating the memorials. A family prayer service will be held at 10:15 AM Friday at the church. Sign Elinor's online guest book at www.ghchapel.com. These services have been entrusted to the Laughlin-Hoevet Funeral Home in Wymore.