In loving memory of

Eleanor Ruth Peterson

May 17, 1922 - February 10, 2015
Eleanor Ruth Peterson

Eleanor Ruth Peterson

Born: May 17, 1922
Died: February 10, 2015
Age: 92
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Eleanor Ruth Peterson, age 92, of Odebolt, IA, passed away on Tuesday, February 10, 2015 at her home.  Eleanor was born on May 17, 1922, the daughter of Oscar Theodore and Vina (Younker) Tostlebe in Cedar Falls, IA.  She graduated from Cedar Falls High School and Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls.  She went on to get her M.A. at the University of Arizona in Tucson, AZ. 

 

On May 29, 1944, Eleanor and Dennis H. Peterson were united in marriage.  This union was blessed with a daughter, Jean Marie, and son, Mike.

 

In high school Eleanor was involved in music, receiving many honors for playing the bass clarinet, piano and string bass.  She was Drum Major for the Cedar Falls High School Marching Band. 

 

Eleanor was dedicated to education and her students.  Although her degrees were in business education, she taught and substituted all grades and subjects.  She taught in El Paso, TX, Marcus, Quimby and Odebolt, Iowa.  She cherished the year she was a lay teacher at St. Martin's Catholic School in Odebolt.  She regularly kept in touch with many of her former students and colleagues.

 

Eleanor was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend.  She was known for her sense of humor, energy and loyalty.  Her interests were many including visiting with friends,  gardening, reading, playing bridge and euchre, and following high school wrestling and Nascar.  She was active in her community serving on the Odebolt Museum Board, Odebolt Library Board, Odebolt Centennial Committee in 1977 and a member of P.E.O., Tuesday Club and Band Boosters.  The town honored her by asking her to be Grand Marshall in the 2008 Odebolt Creek Days Parade.  She was a member of Faith Lutheran Church in Odebolt.

 

Eleanor was always ready for adventure and improvement.  In her 60's she took flying lessons and soloed which pleased her pilot husband.  Eleanor was the proud owner of a Heritage Farm in Butler Co. Iowa which has been in her family since 1854.  Restoration of the 100 year old barn was a recent project completed in 2009. 

 

Survivors include her daughter Jean Marie “Noonie” Jones of Mallard, IA; son Mike Peterson of Fremont, CA; grandchildren Nate Jones and wife Judy of Sun Prairie, WI; and Alex Jones and friend KariAnn Marshall of Des Moines, IA; great-grandchildren:  Matthea , Grady, and Tatum Jones; brother Ted Tostlebe and wife Marilyn Hanson of Story City, IA.

 

Eleanor was preceded in death by her parents; husband Dennis; and sister Dorothy Jean Ray. 

 

SERVICES
10:30 a.m., Monday, February 16, 2015
Faith Lutheran Church
Odebolt, Iowa
OFFICIATING
Pastor Trish Underberg
VISITATION
4-7:00 p.m., Sunday, February 15, 2015
Farber & Otteman Funeral Home
Odebolt, Iowa
INTERMENT
Odebolt Cemetery
Odebolt, Iowa

Condolences

Friday, February 20, 2015 at 11:01 AM
“Mike and Noonie, I'm sorry for your loss. She was quite a lady. Our thoughts are with you.
The Sundell family”
- Chuck Sundell
Monday, February 16, 2015 at 12:53 PM
“Peterson family, We are sorry for your loss. Our prayers and sympathy are with you at this time.”
- Rodger & Linda Miller
Monday, February 16, 2015 at 12:53 PM
“Going to Odebolt as a kid, we would usually stop at Eleanor's house. She was always kind, funny and super friendly. I remember on one visit, upon learning it was my birthday, she quickly dug into her purse for gift money! I enjoyed visiting her years later as well. And I won't ever forget the entertaining letters she sent me when I was deployed overseas. I remember they included a funny picture of her at the teller window officially receiving a "one-million" dollar check from the president of Odebolt State Bank. I was sorry to hear about her passing, and my prayers are with the family.”
- Brian Clark
Monday, February 16, 2015 at 12:53 PM
“Mike and Noonie,
The three Korneisel girls thought the world of your mom and appreciated her kindness and great sense of humor! She was like a second mom to us after our mom died and thank you for sharing her with us. I will always remember her words of wisdom and comfort she gave us during our years of" motherless"! She was always happy to see us and loved to hear from us about our lives. She was one of a kind and will always be with you! My sympathy for the loss of your beautiful mother.”
- Kathy Korneisel Thies
Monday, February 16, 2015 at 12:53 PM
“To my good friend Jean and her family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you all, as I cannot be. It has been several years since I saw Eleanor, but I remember well her smile and friendly warmth, and how her voice softened with love when she spoke of you Jean. Your mama was one truly sweet lady, in every sense of the word. You are in my thoughts often, but especially now during this time of sorrow. I send my love, and hope to see you soon.
Linda”
- Linda Anania
Monday, February 16, 2015 at 12:53 PM
“Eleanor was such a wonderful person and so full of life. She blessed so many throughout her life. It's impossible to realize how many lives she touched. What a fabulous sense of humor.
She will be missed.”
- Charis Peterson
Monday, February 16, 2015 at 12:53 PM
“Mike, Noonie and Family,
All of my thoughts and prayers are for Eleanor and you all at this time. A One-of-a Kind lady and person for sure that I shall never forget and will always have fond memories of. May she rest in peace and God Bless her and you all.”
- Todd Gronemeyer
Monday, February 16, 2015 at 12:53 PM
“Mike and Noonie and Famiy...I was so sorry to hear your Mom had passed. What a wonderful lady she was! She made a huge impression on me when I first met her after the "Arthur kids" came to school in Odebolt, and I've never forgotten that. I have been unwell with a sinus infection these past few days, or I would have come down to the visitation/funeral. Please know that many hearts who loved your mother and your family are sending prayers to follow you through these difficult days. ”
- Ann Hemer Onnen
Saturday, February 14, 2015 at 9:52 AM
“Mike and Noonie, I'm so sorry. Your mom and I remained lifelong friends though I left Odebolt in 1972. I'll always remember her affectionately as "Ma."”
- Gary Slechta
Saturday, February 14, 2015 at 9:52 AM
“Eleanor was my typing teacher and Denny was the band director at Quimby, Iowa. They were very well liked. I graduated in 1951 and my husband graduated in 1950. Eleanor came to most of his class
reunions. You have my sympathy.”
- Barb Campbell Volkert
Friday, February 13, 2015 at 11:29 AM
“Noonie and Mike, I just saw the news of your mom's passing on FB. She always had something fun and interesting to say. And her asparagus was so good! Please accept my sympathy at your loss. She had a long life, but no matter her age, she's still mom and the loss is deeply felt. You'll be in my prayers. ”
- Carol Friday Witry
Friday, February 13, 2015 at 11:29 AM
“Mike and Noonie, we are so sad to hear about your Mom. She was a very special person, a good neighbor to my mother and an asset to Odebolt. Our thoughts and prayers are with you! Russ and Georgia”
- Russ and Georgia Klay
Friday, February 13, 2015 at 11:29 AM
“Denny and Jean, your mother was a teacher at Quimby high when I was a student. We loved both of your folk. I sent you a card to her PO box but don't know if you will get it. I cried when my sister emailed me about her death. I know she struggled with 2health issues but she was so alive! I looked forward to hearing from her every year. She was only 10 years older than most of her students and could relate to us so well. Your dad was wonderful to all of us and was gentle and kind. How blessed we were to have them as our teachers. K. Ann Findley”
- Kathryn ann ( Campbell) Finfley
Friday, February 13, 2015 at 11:29 AM
“I am so saddened to hear of the passing of your mother. She was a long time family friend and I enjoyed spending time with her sharing memories of years past. I know health issues have made life difficult these past several years, but Eleanor endured with her strong sharp mind. I regret that I cannot join you to celebrate the memories as I am out of the country spending the winter in Asia. My thoughts are with you. ”
- John B Noyd
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