Elaine Kay (Husman) Peterson, 81, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, formerly of Volga, made her final journey home on October 11, 2023 at Living Center West, Cedar Rapids.
A memorial and celebration of life will be held on Saturday, November 4, 2023, at St. Sebald Lutheran Church near Strawberry Point. Visitation at 10:30 a.m., service at 11:00 a.m., with lunch to follow at the church.
Elaine was a loving sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend who will be missed by those who knew her and loved her.
Elaine was born August 22, 1942, in Anamosa, Iowa. She attended Wyoming High School through the first semester of her senior year, when she and her parents moved to Marion. She was a member of the very first graduating class in the then-new Linn-Mar High School. On December 10, 1960, Elaine married Leslie Peterson, who she met at Luther League. Their shared Lutheran faith would be the hallmark of their lives together. Elaine and Les worshiped, volunteered, and served as delegates to the Northeast Iowa Synod Assembly. The two of them enjoyed long car rides in the scenic Northeast Iowa hills, and daily games of cards. Elaine and Les raised their family in Cedar Rapids before moving to Olin. They both worked at Rockwell Collins until 1981, when they moved to Camp Ewalu near Strawberry Point. Elaine worked as Assistant to the Camp Director and Les as Property Manager. Later, she worked for the Clayton County Food Bank and ended her working career at Cabela’s in Prairie Du Chien. Elaine was a life-long Hawkeye basketball fan, following the men’s and women’s teams avidly. Her family will always remember her urgent cry of “C’mon, guys!” when the game was close. She loved Find-A-Word puzzles, and was an avid card player who could beat you at 3-13 or 500 right up until her final days. Her pies won multiple blue ribbons at the Winneshiek and Clayton County Fairs. But most of all, Elaine was a devoted and loving wife, mom, grandma, and great-grandma. She was always happiest when she was surrounded by family.
Elaine is survived by her daughters Lesa (Dwayne) Ackman and Debbie (Dennis) Green of Cedar Rapids; son Michael (Amanda) Peterson of Decorah; sisters Dixie Shearer of Elkader, and Betty (Gary) Young of Marion; grandchildren Nicole (Jason) Sedlacek, Alex Green, Zachary (Jamie) Peterson, Chris (Jenna) Ackman, Holly (Dalton Lenz) Peterson, and Jackson (Kayla) Green; and great-grandchildren Colton, Bruce, Asher, Lily, Bennett, and Paisley. She’ll also be missed by many cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Les Peterson, and her parents, Earl and Evelyn Husman.
Elaine’s family is grateful to the kind staff at Living Center West, who made her final days comfortable and secure.
Contributions can be made in Elaine’s memory to Camp Ewalu, 37776 Alpha Ave. Strawberry Point, Iowa 52076.
Leave a memory for Elaine’s family at Leonard-Muller Funeral Home, www.leonard-mullerfh.com.
