September 5, 1928 – October 8, 2024
A Celebration of Evelyn O’Leary Peterson’s life was held on October 11, 2024 at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege, NE.
An additional memorial service will be held in Weatherford, TX. Evelyn will be laid to rest next to her husband in Millsap, TX.
Evelyn Rosalie (O’Leary) Peterson passed away peacefully at home in Loomis, NE on October 8, 2024, at the age of 96.
Evelyn was born in Timber Lake on September 5, 1928, the fifth of eight children of Lawrence and Mary (O’Neil) O’Leary. She received her education from Timber Lake public schools graduating in 1946. It was during this time she developed her love for writing and had dreams of being a journalist. Throughout her years she had written many short stories and poems often depicting her life.
On August 26, 1946 Evelyn married John W. Peterson and to this union nine children were born. The couple made their home in Timber Lake. While she was busy raising their children, John farmed and ranched alongside his dad until 1960. They moved to Springfield, OR and then in 1964, to El Paso, TX, where she worked in real estate for many years. In 1984 she began teaching at Northeast Christian Academy and did so for 14 years.
After retiring she kept busy taking ad sales at the Thrifty Nickel until she eventually fully retired. In 2000, John and Evelyn relocated to Millsap, TX. There they enjoyed a quiet life of retirement until John passed away in 2004. After his passing, she moved to Madison, WI, where she resided with her youngest daughter and her husband until 2012, when they relocated to Loomis.
In her early years, she enjoyed square dancing with her husband and they became members of the Shooting Stars. She also enjoyed many outdoor activities, reading, gardening, canning, crocheting, and painting pictures of the prairie where she grew up. She also enjoyed crafting with her husband and baking cookies with her grandchildren.
Evelyn was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; four sons: Jack Peterson, Dennis Peterson, Kevin Peterson, and Ben Peterson; a daughter-in-law, Nancy Peterson; two grandchildren: Michelle Reyna and Jeff Peterson; three brothers: Gordon O’Leary, Dan O’Leary and Lorin O’Leary; and three sisters: Ursula Jackson, Geraldine Hollandsworth, and Audrey Anthes.
Evelyn is survived by her five children: Luann Reyna of Lockhart, TX, Linell Lane of Marble Falls, TX, Tom (Tracy) Peterson of Millsap, TX, Lynette (Bart) Grach of Austin, TX, and Leann (Mark) Berg of Loomis; one daughter-in-law, Teresa Peterson of Austin; 19 grandchildren: Carlos (Lauren) Reyna, Mike (Melissa) Reyna, Cynthia (Joel) Silguero, Gabriel Reyna, Billy Joe (Monica) Stewart, Karrie (Rob) Werth, Timothy Peterson, Brian Lane, Karen Lane, Jason (Jessica) Peterson, Emily Peterson, Charly Peterson, John (Lacy) O’Leary, Megan (Randy) Schoener, Ben (Brianna) Peterson, Michael Wiles, Timothy (Adrienne) Berg, Rebecca (Eric) Colbert, and Amanda Berg; 48 great-grandchildren; 3 great-greatgrandchildren; one brother, Robert (Debbie) O’Leary; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.
The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege was in charge of the arrangements.