Naomi Ruth Peterson

Naomi "Ruth" Peterson, 78, of Mt. Pleasant, IA, died Monday, February 10, 2014, at her home. Visitation will begin after 12 noon on Friday, February 14, 2014 at the Olson-Powell Memorial Chapel where the family will receive friends from 4-7 p.m. that evening. A funeral service will begin at 10:30 a.m., on Saturday, February 15th, at the First Presbyterian Church, 902 S. Walnut Street, with Pastor Deb Savage officiating. Inurnment will be in the Salem South Cemetery at a later date. Memorials have been established to Henry County Relay for Life and the Lewelling Quaker Museum. On-line condolences may be directed to www.olsonpowell.com. Born October 29, 1935 in Salem, IA, Naomi Ruth was the daughter of William E. and Alma Short Johnston Pfeiffer. She attended Salem School. On November 21, 1951, she married Lloyd A. Orr. The couple later divorced. On March 28, 1992, she married L.R. "Pete" Peterson. He passed away on May 31, 2009. Ruth had worked as a nurse's aide, and later at Metromail, Kennedy's Dairy and Midwest Old Threshers. She was always a homemaker and tended to the needs of her family. While living in Illinois, Ruth was a member of the American Legion Women's Auxiliary. She moved back to the Henry County area in 1961. She did volunteer work at Fellowship Cup and Old Threshers. She was a member of First Presbyterian Church and Presbyterian Women. Favorite hobbies included reading, crossword puzzles, and traveling. She loved watching the birds and squirrels. With a good sense of humor, Ruth had a general silliness that was appreciated by all who knew her. Survivors include three daughters, Regina (Larry) Allen of Lockridge, IA, Deborah (Chris) Oliver of O'Fallon, MO and Cheryl Orr of Mt. Pleasant, IA; a step-daughter, Virginia Ekstrand of New London, IA; two step-sons, Marvin (Carol) Peterson of Wood River, IL and David (Nancy) Peterson of Bellville, IL; three sisters, Dorothy (Marvin) Williams of Logansport, IN, Ellen (John) Frank of Mt. Pleasant, IA and Lola Waterhouse of Salem, IA; a brother, Dale (Shirley) Johnston of Florida; 5 grandchildren; 11 step-grandchildren; 5 great grand-children; 15 step-great grandchildren; and one step-great, great-grandchild. Preceding Ruth in death are her parents; a step-father, R.M. Pfeiffer; her husband, Pete; a daughter, Sally Jo Orr; a step-son, Dennis Peterson; and a step-daughter, Lola Jean Harmon.