Viola M Peterson

Funeral Services for Viola M. Peterson will be held on Thursday, September 3, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. at the Peace Lutheran Church in Alma, Nebraska with Pastor Paul Ferrarone officiating. Interment will follow the services in the Alma Cemetery.

Viola Minnie Peterson, 98 years of age, longtime resident of Alma, passed away on Tuesday, August 25, 2015 at the Good Samaritan Society – Colonial Villa in Alma. Viola was born January 21, 1917 at Macon, Nebraska in Franklin County, the eldest of five children born to Albert J. and Ockje Johanna (Frerichs) Decker. She was baptized at home in Macon by the Zion Lutheran Church pastor on February 9, 1917 and confirmed at the Peace Lutheran Church in 1930. Viola received her primary education at Macon, and then continued through the eighth grade at District #48 in Harlan County. Following her education, Viola then began to provide domestic housework for many families in the area; including new born care and also worked at Ma Baker's Restaurant in Alma.

She met the love of her life while waitressing at Ma Baker's. She and Arnold Robert Peterson were united in marriage on November 29, 1936 at the Peace Lutheran Church. To this union five children were born: Vonnel, Robert, Carol, John and Brian. The couple shared an active community and church life, and enjoyed their children, 6 granddaughters and 6 great-grandsons. Viola and Arnold shared almost 60 years together prior to his passing on June 4, 1996.

Viola was a devoted member of the Peace Lutheran Church, where she was active in the Women's Missionary Society, ALCW, Women's ELCA, and taught Sunday school. She was also a charter member of the Harlan County Hospital Auxiliary in Alma, assisted with the Cub Scouts when the boys were young, involved with Reading Buddy, and Lutheran World Relief.

She was recognized and awarded the Diana Award, which acknowledged her commitment and service to others and being a good neighbor.

Besides her husband, Arnold and her parents; Viola was preceded in death by a son-in-law, Harlow Bunch; three brothers: Wilbur Decker and his wife, Maxine, John Decker and his wife, Alice, and Harold Decker; and a host of brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law on the Peterson side of the family.

Viola leaves to celebrate her life; her five children: Vonnel Bunch of Overland Park, Kansas, Robert Peterson of Alma, Carol Banta and her husband, Dr. Kent Banta of Tucson, Arizona, John Peterson and Brian Peterson both of Alma; 6 granddaughters: Brenda Bunch and her husband, Chris Henchek and Shelley Bunch and her husband, Jeff Lake, Kaya Merz and her husband, Matthew, Jodi Banta, Stacia Banta, and Erin Wilford and her husband, Brad; six great-grandsons; one brother, Walter Decker of Sullivan, Missouri; sister-in-law, Beverly Decker of Colorado Springs, Colorado; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, September 2, 2015 from 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. with the family greeting from 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. at the Bauer-Torrey & Mach Funeral Home in Alma.

A memorial has been established in Viola's honor and kindly suggested to the Peace Lutheran Church or the Colonial Villa.

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

The Bauer-Torrey & Mach Funeral Home in Alma is in charge of the arrangements.