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Obituary for Helen Evelyn Peterson
Helen Evelyn Peterson, 95, of Guthrie Center, formally of Casey, passed away on Sunday January 1, 2017 at The New Homestead Care Center. Public viewing will be from 11 AM to 5 PM on Wednesday, January 4th at Johnson Family Funeral Home in Stuart. Funeral service will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Thursday, January 5th at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Casey. Burial with full military honors will be at Oakwood Cemetery in Casey. Memorial contributions may be directed St. John’s Lutheran Church and may be sent in care of Johnson Family Funeral Home, PO Box 246, Stuart, IA 50250. Online condolences may be left at www.johnsonfamilyfuneralhome.com.
Helen was born on November 7, 1921 in Fitchburg, MA to James and Leona (Robbins) Johnson. As a child her family moved around and she attended different schools in MA, CT, and graduated from Thornton Academy in Saco, ME in 1939. After high school, Helen worked various jobs until 1943 when she enlisted the U.S. Navy as a Navy WAVE (Women Accepted for Voluntary Emergency Service). She was called to active duty and served as a Radioman Second Class where she sent and received code through voice teletype and NYX Machine.
After discharge from the Navy, she visited Casey and met her future husband, Lloyd Peterson. The two were married February 8, 1947 a union that lasted over 47 years until Lloyd's death in 1994. Within this union they were bless with 2 sons and 1 daughter, Ralph Peterson, Ross Peterson, and Pam Koch.
Along with being a homemaker, Helen worked to support her family by doing bookkeeping for Lloyd's trucking business until he accepted a job for the State of Iowa. She then worked various jobs in Casey at Mary's Cafe, the Telephone Co, and local clothing store.
Helen and Lloyd enjoyed their retirement summers by traveling across the United States and Canada on their motorcycle. During winters they would travel to visit family and friend in Florida, Texas, and Arizona. Helen was selected and participated in the Veterans Honor Flight visiting WWII Monument in Washington D.C.
Helen was very giving of her time to the church and community. Helen was a lifelong member of the St John's Lutheran Church where she taught Sunday school and served as the church secretary from 1963 until 2012. She was a member of the LWML and Altar Guild, Federated Women's Club, served as President of the American Legion Auxiliary, member of the Casey Service Club, member of the WAVES National and Unit #84 of Des Moines, served as representative for Casey on the Adair County Tourism, secretary for AAL Branch 2592 of Casey and Adair. She was recognized for her service to the community by being named Casey Citizen of the Year and along with Lloyd were named King and Queen during a Casey Antique Fun Days event.
Those preceding her in death were her husband Lloyd; brother Donald Johnson; sister Ruth Ledoux; brother Richard Johnson; sister Janet Beland; and infant great granddaughter Leah Stark.
She is survived by her son Ralph (Toni) Peterson of Casey, son Ross (Cheri) Peterson of Casey, Pam (Dennis) Koch of Fordyce NE. She is also survived by her grandchildren Teresa (Mark) Williams, Shelly (Jeff) Stonacek, Vicki Peterson, Jeff Peterson, Jamie (Jay Wolfe) Stark; Chad (Jessi) Koch, Eric Koch, Shawn Koch and great grandchildren Heather Williams, Seth (Mollie) Comly, Cameron Stark, Gage Koder, Tyler Stonacek, Brent Stonacek, Hannah Stark, Kelsey Stonacek, great great grandchild Xavier Comly; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins all of whom will miss her greatly.
