Florence Lorraine Peterson

Florence Lorraine Oseka was born November 2, 1922 on the family farm in Sherman County, Nebraska to Frank and Catherine (Bandur) Oseka. She was baptized at St. Josephat Catholic Church in Loup City, and graduated from Wiggle Creek High School in 1941. Florence was the first girl born after two boys, and was a real help to her Mother in caring for the younger siblings. Often when her parents would go to town, her older brothers would do the chores and kill some chickens. Florence was in charge of the cooking and making a dessert. Her sisters, Agnes and Cecelia, helped with the cleanup, so their parents would not notice the missing chickens, flour, sugar, and eggs. Florence married Leonard Peterson on November 30, 1942 at the Sarpy County Courthouse in Papillion, Nebraska, and to this union, two children were born: Patsy and Mick. Florence and Leonard have raised their family and always made their home in Elkhorn. In 1954, Florence and Leonard had their marriage blessed at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, by Rev. John Brock. Florence and her children have been members all those years. Florence first came to Elkhorn at the suggestion of a former neighbor, Mary Doose Dohse, and stayed with the family. Later, her sisters all came to the Elkhorn and Omaha area. Agnes and Richard Woitaszewski made their home in the old Hotel. Marie met her husband, Alvin Peetz while living in the old Hotel. Evelyn lived with Florence’s family before marrying Byron Karmann. Florence has had a long career in food preparation. She worked as chief cook and bottle washer for the Ford Café in Valley, NE, Midway Café, the Jack Damitz family, Elkhorn Inn, Omaha Public Schools, and 20 years in the deli and Central Kitchen for Baker’s Supermarket until her retirement in 1986. In addition to her responsibilities at home and her job at Baker’s, Florence was very active as a 4-H leader, a member of the rural Douglas County American Legion Auxiliary Post #362, the Elkhorn Historical Society, the Meat Cutter’s Union, and a member and President of 40 & 8. Florence and Leonard had many adventures with their cars, and commuting into Omaha to the different Baker’s locations. In 1950, they purchased a Chevrolet with power glide, and Florence learned to drive. Put the car in Drive to go forward, and Reverse for backing up, and Florence was turned loose on the streets of Elkhorn. Leonard drove too fast forward, and Florence blamed him for causing the Reverse to go out! One day in 1975 while waiting to go to Baker’s at Westgate, Leonard assured her the bad weather was over. When she arrived at the store, nobody was in the front of the store, employees and customers were in the back freezers escaping injury from the tornado! She was mooned for the first, and last, time at 90th & Center. A new car with different controls caused her to drive home with all the windows down in the winter, and she had a wake-up call with a bridge near 180th & Blondo, close, but no damage. Florence and Leonard shared many wonderful years together, and created fond memories of the camping trips they took, living in downtown Elkhorn in the old hotel, and all the families they met through the years. They loved to travel together all over the United States, and even to Australia and The Philippines, where Leonard had served during World War II. Florence and Leonard loved gardening and spent a lifetime planting and reaping the fruits of their labor. Florence passed away on Sunday, January 13, 2013 at the Life Care Center of Elkhorn at the age of 90 years 2 months, and 11 days. She was preceded in death by her parents Frank and Catherine (Bandur) Oseka, her husband Leonard, granddaughter Audra Schmidt, 3 brothers: Leonard, Don and Clarence, and 2 sisters: Evelyn and Cecelia. Florence is survived by her son and daughter-in-law Mick and Diane Peterson, daughter and son-in-law Patsy and Ron Schmidt, 3 grandchildren: Matt and wife, Michele Schmidt, Kari and husband, Brian Handly, and Brad and wife, Risa Peterson, 2 great grandsons Carter and Camden Peterson, sisters: Marie Peetz and Agnes Woitaszewski, 2 brothers-in-law: Byron Karmann and Harvey Peterson, and 2 sisters-in-law: Maxine Lenhart and Lesley Buss. Florence L. (Oseka) Peterson, age 90, of Elkhorn, died 1/13/13. Preceded in death by parents Frank and Catherine (Bandur) Oseka, husband Leonard 1 granddaughter, 3 brothers, and 2 sisters. Survived by son and daughter-in-law Mick and Diane Peterson, daughter and son-in-law Patsy and Ron Schmidt, 3 grandchildren, 2 great grandsons, sisters: Marie Peetz and Agnes Woitaszewski, 2 brothers-in-law and 2 sisters-in-law. Funeral Mass 10:30 AM Thursday, 1/17/13, St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Elkhorn. Visitation Wednesday from Noon to 7 PM with a Wake service at 7 PM at the funeral home. Inurnment Mt. Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials to St. Patrick’s Catholic Church or a charity of your choice.

Florence Lorraine Peterson

November 2, 1922 - January 13, 2013