Ramona Evaline Peterson

Ramona E. Peterson, 97, of Waukon, IA, died Monday, December 14, 2015, at Northgate Care Center in Waukon. Funeral services will be held Friday, December 18th, at 11:00 AM at St. John's Lutheran Church in Waukon with Rev. Lynn Groe officiating. Burial will be in Oakland Cemetery, Waukon. Friends may call from 9:30 AM until time of service Friday at the church. Martin Funeral Home of Waukon is handling arrangements.

Ramona Evaline Wurtzel Peterson was born on September 12, 1918, in Center Township of Allamakee County, rural Waterville, IA. She was the daughter of Herman Edward and Inga Louise (Pladsen) Wurtzel. She was baptized and confirmed at Old East Paint Creek Lutheran Church. Ramona attended rural elementary schools and graduated from Waukon High School in 1936 where she took the normal training curriculum. She taught in rural Allamakee County schools for 2 years. On October 29, 1938 she married Clarence Alfred Peterson at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Waterloo, IA. After raising her family Ramona returned to school and earned her LPN at Northeast Iowa Community College in Calmar, IA. She worked as a nurse at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon for 18 years.

Ramona was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church and Ladies Circle, serving as president of Ladies Aid one year. She enjoyed spending family time playing games together when her children were young and continued to enjoy and solving word games and crossword puzzles. She was an excellent cook and baker, liked to sew and got the opportunity to enjoy taking a couple of bus trips to the eastern United States. Ramona was also proud of the fact that all four of her sons served in the military.

Survivors include her sons: Roger (Sheryl), Norman, Laverne and Rodney, all of Waukon; 9 grandchildren; many great-grandchildren; sister Norma Svendson of Waukon; and numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives. She is preceded by her parents; her husband Clarence, who died in 1981; a daughter Julie and husband Bernard Neseth; a sister Inez and husband Oliver Osland; a brother Truman and wife Donna Wurtzel; and a brother-in-law Morris Svendson.