Patricia P. Peterson

Funeral Services for Patricia P. Peterson will be held on Tuesday, January 26, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Bertrand, Nebraska with Reverend Matthew Hacker officiating. Interment will follow in the Immanuel Cemetery north of Bertrand.

Patricia Phyllis (McGimsey) "Patty" Peterson, 92 years of age, of Bertrand, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Friday, January 22, 2016 at the Bertrand Nursing Home. Patty was born October 25, 1923 in Omaha, Nebraska, the younger of two children born to Arthur and Rose (Mathauser) McGimsey.

She was baptized in the Catholic church, but later attended and was confirmed at the Bethel Lutheran Church in Omaha. In her youth, Patricia enjoyed tap dancing and was a member of Jobs Daughters. Patty lost her father on her 16th birthday.

Patricia graduated from Omaha South High School with the class of 1940. She was proud of the fact that her father was influential in the building of Omaha South High School. She graduated as Valedictorian of her class of 500 students. Patty was always a faithful member of her church and while attending church camp, she met Gloria (High) Lamb who invited her to Bertrand, where she met her future husband, Elvin.

On August 1, 1944 Patricia was united in marriage to Elvin E. Peterson at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Omaha, and to this union three children were born: David, Gwendolyn and Cheryl. The family made their home on a farm north of Bertrand, where they worked together growing crops and raising Angus cattle. Their home was destroyed by a fire in May of 1980, which precluded the couple to rebuild a new home on their farm.

As the years went by, Patricia worked outside the home for the First National Bank in Holdrege, Nebraska for 30 years as the Vice President of Operations. Patty was very proud to call Immanuel Lutheran her church family, and was a faithful member throughout the years of her life.

Patty rejoiced 8 times over with the births of her grandsons. One of her great-granddaughters was born on her 88th birthday, and recently she and Elvin celebrated the birth of their 12th great-grandchild. Traveling to follow their grandson's activities, spending time with family and raising gladiolas (her favorite flower) and roses were the highlights of Patty's retirement years.

Failing health in recent years required Patty and Elvin to leave their family home and move to Assisted Living, and most recently to skilled care in Bertrand.

On January 22, following breakfast, Patty had her hair done and returned to her room, where she and Elvin rested together in their recliners. God answered many prayers by taking away Patty's pain and received her in His loving arms, while she peacefully slept.

Her faith and words of encouragement were an inspiration to many.

She was preceded in death by her parents; step-father, Emmett Oakes; sister, Mildred and her husband, Sandy Sanderson; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law: Elthea and her husband, Edward Hansen, and Cornelia and her husband, Kenneth Vaughn; a niece, Louise; and a nephew, Wesley.

She leaves to celebrate her life; her husband of 71 years, Elvin Peterson of Bertrand; her three children: Dr. David Peterson and his wife, Karleen of Ashton, South Dakota, Gwen Swartz and her husband, Paul of Minden, Nebraska, and Cheryl Landon and her husband, Bill of Greenwood, Nebraska; 8 grandsons: Andrew Landon and his wife, Corie, Jeremy Swartz and his wife, Talley, Daniel Landon and his wife, Courtney, Kwen Peterson and his wife, Lacey, Trond Peterson and his wife, Stephanie, Steven Landon, Kevin Swartz and his wife, Amber, and Zane Peterson and his wife, Aimee; 12 great-grandchildren: Conner, Cade and Garrett Landon, Kiera and Kiptyn Swartz, Renae and Bailey Landon, Tollin and Tandyn Peterson, Riah and Skylar Swartz and Mavick Peterson and a host of other special nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be held prior to the service on Tuesday, January 26, 2016 at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Bertrand.

A memorial has been established in Patty's honor and kindly suggested to the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Bertrand.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of the arrangements.