Laurence Lavern Peterson
Laurence Lavern Peterson, 97,
passed away Monday (July 16, 2007) at Presbyterian Manor in Newton.
He was born on April 8, 1910,
in Meadville, Neb., to Clarence and Mary Peterson. He married Rachel Louise
Garner on March 14, 1932, in Martin, S.D. He was a farmer/rancher for many
years until moving to Valentine, Neb., in 1947, where he worked for several
years at implement companies. In 1963, he was invited to work with Hesston
Corp., at which time they moved to Newton. From 1963 to retirement in 1975, he
and his wife traveled extensively as a test engineer for the company. They also
traveled overseas to such places as Israel, Europe and Africa. As you can see,
they had a very active, exciting life! They celebrated 75 wonderful years of
marriage with a special celebration on March 18.
Survivors include his wife,
Rachel of Presbyterian Manor in Newton; sons, Jesse and Vallee of Leawood,
Daniel (Dan) and Mary of Augusta, Ga. LaVern (deceased) and Vernetta of Spiro,
Okla.; daughters, Arlene and Roger of Los Osos, Calif., and Marilyn Spielman of
Topeka; a sister, Velma Jean and Gerald Brown; 17 grandchildren; 23
great-grandchildren; and one great-great-granddaughter.
He was preceded in death by
his parents, son, La Vern, grandson, Curtis Petersen, brothers, Ralph, Carl and
Clarence, and sisters, Lulelabell Groome and Irene Loleff.
Service will be at 2:30 p.m.
Thursday at New Life Christian Center, 818 Washington Road in Newton. Friends
are invited at 1 p.m. Burial will be at 9 a.m. Saturday at Mount Hope Cemetery
in Valentine, Neb.
