Helen Peterson
March 22, 1928 ~ May 13, 2009
Helen Marie Peterson, 81, of Nashua died Wednesday morning, May 13, 2009 at Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines following a lengthy illness.
Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Monday, May 18, 2009 Hugeback & Chenoweth Funeral Home in Nashua (641) 435-4134 with Pastor Linda Myren officiating.
Burial will be in Oak Hill Cemetery at Nashua with Helen’s grandchildren, Jeff, Alex, Evan & Ann Peterson, David & Scott McDermott serving as pallbearers.
Visitation will be from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday and one hour prior to services at the Hugeback & Chenoweth Funeral Home in Nashua on Monday. Memorials may be directed to the family.
Helen Marie Peterson was born March 22, 1928 in Iowa City the daughter of W. Lloyd and Marie (Miller) Peterson. She attended elementary and high school in Nashua graduating in 1946. She attended Iowa State Teacher’s College for two years.
She was united in marriage to Wayne F. Peterson August 20, 1948 in Shell Rock, Iowa. To this union four children were born. They lived in Lohrville, Iowa for three years where Helen taught first grade. In 1951, they moved to Nashua and Wayne started his insurance agency. Helen worked as an agent for the company.
Helen was a member of Jr. Federated Club, Nashua Women’s Club and served as vice-president of the Parent Teachers Association. Helen was a home body, she loved being with and doing things for her family and pets. She loved to garden and travel.
She is survived by her husband Wayne Peterson; two sons, Gregory (Deborah) Peterson of Indianola and Dale (Kathleen) Peterson of Clive; a daughter, Patricia (Roger Gigler) McDermott of Nashua; 6 grandchildren, Jeff (Angie), Alex, Evan and Ann Peterson, David and Scott McDermott; two step-grandchildren, Casey (Amanda) Gigler and Lisa (Terry) Moeller; 9 step great-grandchildren and 2 step great-great grandchildren; 2 brothers-in-law, Arthur Thurner of Chicago, IL and Glenn (Betty) Peterson of Lincoln, NE; one sister-in-law, Betty Peterson of Shell Rock.
Helen was preceded in death by a son, David Peterson; her parents; two brothers-in-law and four sisters-in-law.
View current weather.
Memories Timeline
Guestbook
Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle
My warmest and sincere greetings to Pat, Roger, David, Scott, Wayne and Dale and Greg with families. Helen was very special to me! A lovely person, a lovely mother! You all know she meant a lot to me in 74/75, Ive always felt close to her – she was so much alike my own Mom! She was so much full of life and always full of enegy! She was caring and we had fun together. So many nice memories! I with happiness remember meeting her old Mom and talking danish/swedish with her. And not at least Im happy for the lovely friendship I even since then have with Pat. Im so happy I got to meet Helen last time I visited Nashua in 2006. I feel deep sorrow. I enclose all my deepest regards to Helens family. / Lena with family
Dear Petersons, So sorry to hear of Helen’s passing. By all indications, she lived a full life with a bunch of loved ones to keep her company through the years. That is certainly a blessing. I hope memories of the joy she brought all of you overcomes the sadness of her passing. She was a caring, respected member of society and I’m certain she will be missed by many. Please accept my condolences. Kevin Burkle
Helen was a special school friend and a friend through out our adult lives. She was always there to visit with, find out Nashua information, and entertain our school class members. I will miss her very much. Mary Stuelke
Kathy & Dale, What I remember of your Mom is how busy she always was. Often, it seemed that the busier she was, the happier she was as well. I have a favorite poem that reminds me very much of what it seemed to me, Helen loved about life. Do not stand at my grave and weep, I am not there, I do not sleep. I am in a thousand winds that blow, I am the softly falling snow. I am the gentle showers of rain, I am the fields of ripening grain. I am in the morning hush, I am in the graceful rush Of beautiful birds in circling flight, I am the starshine of the night. I am in the flowers that bloom, I am in a quiet room. I am in the birds that sing, I am in each lovely thing. Do not stand at my grave and cry, I am not there. I do not die. Mary Elizabeth Frye Peace and comfort in the coming days.
Pat, Roger, David, and Scott, My heart goes out to all of you during the loss of your precious mom and grandma. Getting to visit with Helen has always been a real highlight of our visits to the cabin, and the Carlsons will miss her so much. I always loved hearing about all her gardening projects, travel stories, and what all the grandkids were up to. Her memory lives on among all of us. Warm hugs, Lisa Schnirring White Bear Lake, MN
Helen and I are second cousins. I spent several summers with her and her family when I was a teenager. Those visits gave me a lifetime of wonderful memories. We have continued to remain close over the years. I will miss her very much.
Helen & I have been ‘Best Friends’ since day one!! We have stayed close even tho Dale and I moved to the Pacific Northwest in 1967. Our kids played together when we lived in Nashua (on a farm) We have many great memories of good times together.We will miss her so much!!