Mary “Ramona” Peterson

ANDERSEN, COOK, CORNWELL, ESCHEN, FRANCK, GIBBS, HARRIS, HERSOM, KENNETT, LEIBOLD, MCGRAW, OLDRIDGE, PETERSON, RYKMAN, SCOTT, WILDER, WRIGHT

Posted By: Cindy (email)
Date: 2/16/2025 at 12:24:22

Mary “Ramona” Peterson, 95, of Independence, IA, formerly of La Porte City, IA, died on Saturday, February 1, 2025, at the Buchanan County Health Center in Independence, IA.

Ramona was born on May 1, 1929, in Troy Mills, IA, the daughter of Robert J. and Jennie M. (Oldridge) Franck. She grew up on farm in rural Troy Mills. In 1947, Ramona graduated from the Quasqueton High School and moved to Waterloo, IA, to attend Gates Business College. She soon found work in the offices at Rath Packing, in Waterloo. Through work friends Ramona was introduced to Allen Peterson, and their friendship quickly moved into much more. They were married on August 25, 1956, at the First Lutheran Church in Waterloo. A few years later the Petersons purchased a farm near La Porte City, IA. There they raised their son, Harlan, and made many memories with their grandchildren.

After thirty-four years of working at Rath Packing, Ramona retired. She was known for her work ethic and soon started working at the A&W in La Porte City, then later, Dave’s Chicken Shack and The LaPorte City Bakery. She loved helping others and wasn’t afraid to jump in to help anyone. You just couldn’t tell her to stop until the job was done.

Ramona loved spending time with her family. She loved when they got together and would always bring the desserts. She enjoyed puzzles, walking on her gravel road- even into her later years, and creating and painting ceramics.

She is survived by her husband, Allen Peterson, Independence, IA, a daughter-in-law, Brenda Peterson, Independence, IA, three grandchildren; Wendy (Stephen) Gibbs, Stephanie (Steve) Leibold, Mickey Peterson, fifteen great-grandchildren; Kale (Jaden Hoskins) Hersom, Elleigh (Mitchell) McGraw, Carley Hersom, Lily Hersom, Brittany Rykman, Brianna Kennett, Mitchell Gibbs, Marshall Gibbs, Madison (Rusty) Cornwell, Mason (Autumn) Scott, Max Scott, Stella Leibold, Kerstin Peterson, Kylee Peterson, and Kennedy Peterson, twenty great-great-grandchildren, two sisters, Zelda Andersen, and Loretta (Kenny) Wright, a brother, Robert (Elsie) Franck, and many nieces and nephews.

Ramona is preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Jennie Franck, a son, Harlan Peterson, seven sisters; Audrey Cook, Ellen Harris Janice Franck, Letticia Franck, Marita Wilder, Lanora Franck, and Ina Mae Eschen, and three brothers; Maynard, Eugene, and Merwin Franck, and a great-great-grandson, Beckett Gibbs.

Visitation will be held from 4 Pm until 7 PM on Tuesday, February 4, 2025, at the Reiff Family Center – Funeral Home & Crematory in Independence, IA.

A Funeral Service will be held a 10:30 AM on Wednesday, February 5th at the American Lutheran Church in La Porte City, IA. Burial will be held at Quasqueton Cemetery, Quasqueton, IA.