Rebecca Ann Petersen Obituary (1919 - 2018)

Our beloved mother, grandmother and great grandmother, Rebecca Ann Petersen died peacefully on Wednesday morning, April 18, 2018. Ann was one of seven children born to George Orlando Hamley and Anna Allan Cross in Minneapolis, MN. She graduated from Meadow Grove, NE high school, and attended Doane College attaining scholarship honors at UCLA. Ann received her teaching degree from Wayne State Teacher's College in 1939 and was the sophomore member of the eight member piano ensemble. She taught 5th and 6th grades in Newman Grove, NE. Ann was introduced to her future husband, Aage Brun Petersen, when brother George introduced her to be the piano accompanist for accomplished violinist, Aage. Aage and Ann were married November 2, 1942. Following WWII, they returned to Battle Creek, Ne from Baltimore where Aage resumed managing the Battle Creek COOP Creamery while Ann participated in various musical, civic and community activities. She was the founder of the Battle Creek Improvement Club in 1948, She was an ardent member of the Battle Creek Methodist Church serving as organist and choir director for over 40 years and is credited with spear-heading plans and projects for United Methodist Women. Ann was a member of the Battle Creek Betterment Council, the Library board for over 40 years, and a continuous member of the American Legion Auxiliary for 72 years. She was "Becky Peters" on the WJAG radio station's "Homemaker Program". Ann was a member of the Nebraska Northern Library Advisor Council. She compiled information and developed the program "Interpretation of the Book, The Snow Maiden, Though the Arts. The program was presented statewide for National Children's Book Week in 1972. Ann had a love of music as an accomplished pianist, teacher, composer and conductor. Ann's "Song Of Nebraska" was the runner-up to become the Nebraska State Song. She wrote the words and the music and produced and directed two children's operettas, "The Little Lost Note" and "Lilting Melodies". She composed hymns, spirituals, ballads and special occasion songs. Her songs "A Springtime Prayer" and "Rock a Baby" are family favorites. Ann formed and conducted the men's chorus, The Villagers. She co-authored, wrote the original music and conducted various music groups for the pageant "Faith of our Father's" presented in 1967 for the Nebraska Centennial. Ann wrote background music and co-authored the script for the slide presentation "This is Our Town" for the Battle Creek, NE Centennial. She was a piano instructor for many children. "She made students around her feel talented and her smile and laughter were contagious." Aage and Ann were named LaVitsef Time, Inc. Battle Creek Outstanding Citizens in 1987 and received the Good Neighbor Citation from the Knights of Ak-Sar-Ben in 1988. Ann was presented The Lifetime Achievement Award. She moved to Beatrice, NE to be near family in 2005. Ann enjoyed her friends and family, Hamley Family Reunions, traveling, reading, hosting themed parties, learning the latest craft, playing bridge, Spring, sunsets and cardinals. A celebration of the life for Rebecca Ann Petersen, 99 years of age, of Beatrice, NE, formerly of Battle Creek, NE will be at 11:30 AM Monday, April 23, 2018 at the First Methodist Church, 406 West Phillip Ave in Norfolk, NE. Visitation will be after 10:30 AM Monday at the church in Norfolk. Private family interment will be at the McCoy Cemetery, Meadow Grove, Madison Co., NE. In lieu of flowers, donations in Ann's name may be made to the Lied Battle Creek Public Library with the Griffiths-Hovendick Chapel in Beatrice in charge. Sign Ann's online guest book at www.ghchapel.com. These services have been entrusted to the Griffiths-Hovendick Chapel in Beatrice.