A family gathering for 98 year old Elfriede Peterson of Atlantic, formerly of Tyler, Minnesota will be held at a later date in Minnesota.
Elfriede Christine was born September 5, 1924, to Arthur and Elise (Siefke) Bruchmann on a Rock Township, Pipestone County, Minnesota farm. She was baptized at Aetna Lutheran Church, rural Ruthton, MN, and confirmed in May 1939 at First English Lutheran Church in Tyler, MN. She graduated from Tyler High School in 1942. During high school, she worked part-time at Stork Produce in Tyler. After graduation, she attended a National Administration School in Glenwood, Minnesota. She worked for Northwest Airlines Modification Center at Holman Field on B-24 planes, converting them from bombers to reconnaissance (camera) planes until VJ Day, August 1945. She returned to Tyler and worked as a telephone operator and store clerk.
On May 4, 1947, Elfriede married Donald Edgar Petersen at Danebod Lutheran Church in Tyler. Their union was blessed with five daughters and 61 years of life together. The couple raised their family on a farm in Hope Township south of Tyler for 55 years and were residents in Tyler for 26 years after leaving the farm. During most of their marriage, she was a homemaker and sewed many garments for herself and her children. Later, she worked for 20 years as the secretary of Danebod Lutheran Church. She and Don grew flowers and produce, which they sold at local Farmers’ Markets and to florists for over 30 years.
Elfreide became a member of Danebod Lutheran Church after her marriage, where she taught Sunday School, belonged to several ladies’ aid groups, and sang in the choir. She sang solos for weddings, showers, funerals, and many other events. She was a 4-H project leader for clothing and crafts and taught her two younger sisters and all five of her daughters how to sew, for which they all earned prizes for their clothing projects. She was active in an extension club and was a member of the Hope Afternoon Club for over 60 years. In the early 1970s, she performed in dramatic and musical productions at the Lake Benton Opera House and acted in numerous plays for over 30 years. Her favorite role was that of Yente, the matchmaker in “Fiddler on the Roof.” She collected colored glassware, especially cobalt blue and cranberry red vases and candle holders. She enjoyed various kinds of needlework, crafts, crossword puzzles, reading, playing cards, and growing flowers, and she loved to go to rummage and auction sales.
Elfreide is lovingly remembered by her daughters, Marie (Howard) Alff of Anita, IA; Janet (Roger) Huey of Atlantic, IA; Ruth (Rich) Minick of Dayton, OH, and Sara (Robert) Murray of Plymouth, MN; six grandchildren, Sonia Nordmeyer of Lakewood, CO, Amber (Terry) Beerman of Anita, IA, Patrick McClain of Des Moines, IA, Brook Stensgaard of Chicago, IL, and Nick and Taylor Murray of Plymouth, MN; sisters, Elisabeth Siebert of Chicago, IL and Joy Gannon of St. Bonifacius, MN; sister-in-law, Clarice Kumlien of Willow Wood, OH; and many other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald, on September 4, 2008; a daughter, Lorine, on September 6, 1964; her parents; a sister, Irma Wirt; brother, Fred Bruchmann; and sisters-in-law, Carol Johansen, Wilma Bruchmann and Joan Weber; brother-in-law, Don Wirt.
The family will host services at a later date in Minnesota.
Roland Funeral Service of Atlantic, Iowa, cares for Elfriede’s family and the arrangements. Condolences may be left at www.rolandfuneralservice.com
