Obituary of Eunice Peterson

Eunice V. Peterson 90, of Assaria, passed away March 23, 2015. She was born May 6, 1924 to Abel and Ellen Carlson at the family farm and was the youngest of five children. She attended the rural Elving School and graduated from Lindsborg High School in 1941. She was baptized and confirmed in the Evangelical Covenant Church. During her time in confirmation, she accepted Christ as her Savior and began serving the Lord at an early age. As a young girl, she began playing the piano for Sunday School and continued serving as a Sunday School teacher, a Vacation Bible School teacher, a choir member, and a church pianist for many years. During her high school and college years, she and her siblings delivered and sold milk products to people living in town from the family dairy. She joined the Bethany Oratorio Society as a junior in high school, singing the Messiah and Bach for over 30 years at various times of her life. Eunice attended Bethany College and received her teaching certificate from there. She thoroughly enjoyed her years of teaching in rural schools in McPherson County, Johnstown, Elving School, and at Sunny Slope School. During the summers, she taught Vacation Bible School at the Beans rural school. Her life changed when she met Norris Peterson on a blind date. Eunice and Norris were married on October 6, 1951 at the Lindsborg Covenant Church. They lived on the Peterson Farm homeplace near Hallville for over 48 years. Norris passed away on June 7, 1999 at age 79. They were blessed with three children - Cheryl, David, and Ann. Raising her kids was a full time job but she also helped Norris with the farm work and cattle operation when needed. She enjoyed cooking, baking, and sewing as well as tending her flowers. Eunice was a member of the Assaria Lutheran Church, serving as a Sunday School teacher, a church pianist, choir member, Music/Worship and Social Ministry committees, and in the WELCA women's group. In her attempt to show care and compassion to others, she spent many hours calling people to "check on them" and to encourage them in any way she could. After her children established their own families, Eunice spent many years enjoying babysitting her grandchildren. She loved sharing in the life of her grandchildren by attending programs at church and school, concerts, and many ballgames. She loved the quietness of farm life and continued to enjoy working in her yard when not attending activities.Her sweet disposition and serving spirit encouraged young and old wherever she went. She was spunky, strong-willed, and straight forward with her wishes but her joyful and heartwarming smile touched many people. Eunice battled death several times. She was close to death after the birth of Cheryl as well as in later years. Eunice became very sick in 2006 and was hospitalized for seven weeks as well as spending almost a year recovering in nursing homes. She was finally able to come home to the farm around Christmas 2007 with lots of help from her family and friends. Later she benefitted from several good friends that helped transport her to and from dialysis. Eunice fought the good fight and is now free from pain and suffering. Well done good and faithful servant! She was preceded in death by her husband Norris, her sister and brother-in-law Helen and Herb Watts, sister-in-law Margaret T. Carlson, brother Homer and sister-in-law Margaret H. Carlson, infant brother Arnold Carlson, and infant grandchildren Joshua and Heidi Peterson as well as all her extended family members and friends whom she loved dearly. Eunice leaves behind many loved ones including her children Cheryl Spare (Bruce) of Assaria, David Peterson (Marla) of Assaria, and Ann Coen (Jim) of Andover. Grandchildren include Krista Smith (Patrick), Kelsey Low (Derek), Kari Coen, Lukas Spare, Eva Spare, Greg Peterson, Nathan Peterson, Kendal Peterson, Laura Peterson, and great-granddaughters Caroline Smith and Rosalyn Low. Other surviving family members include her brother Terence Carlson of Lindsborg, and sisters-in-law Dorothy Johnson of Salina, Elaine Forsberg of Mentor, & Janet Peterson of Stillwater, OK. Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. with family present from 6-7 p.m. at Christians Funeral Home, Lindsborg. A Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, March 27, at the Evangelical Covenant Church, Lindsborg, with burial following at Assaria Lutheran Cemetery. Following the committal service, a fellowship will be held at Assaria Lutheran Church. Memorials may be designated for Fresenius Dialysis Center or Assaria Lutheran Church in care of Christians Funeral Home 103 N. Washington St. PO Box 386 Lindsborg, KS 67456. Online condolences at www.ChristiansFuneralHome.com .