Wilma Peterson

Wilma Peterson of Vintage Park in Lenox, formerly of Corning, Iowa entered eternal rest Saturday, May 11, 2024 at CHI Health - Mercy Hospital in Corning at the age of 94 years and 21 days.  Funeral services will be 11 AM, Wednesday, May 15, 2024 at Pearson Family Funeral Service & Cremation Center.  Rev. Mary O’Riley and Mr. Robert Blazek will officiate.  Open visitation will be 3-7 PM, Tuesday with the family receiving friends from 5-7 PM at the funeral home.  Wilma will be laid to rest next her husband Clark in Oak Hill Cemetery, Corning, Iowa.  Memorial contributions may be directed to the Wilma Peterson Memorial, to be established by the family.  Memories and condolences can be shared online at www.pearsonfuneralhomes.com.

Wilma May Peterson was the third child born to Edward and Maggie (Burgett) Hardisty and was born in Adams County, Iowa on April 20, 1930.  Wilma had two older brothers:  Russell and Glenn and later, two younger sisters:  Wanda and Donna.  Wilma attended Country Schools and received her GED later in life.

On February 27, 1949, Wilma was united in marriage to Clark Merle Peterson at the Methodist Parsonage in Bedford, Iowa.  Three children were born to bless this union:  Nancy, Doug and Jeanie.  The couple made their home on a farm south of Corning where Wilma and Clark remained for 58 years before moving to Corning in 2007.  Wilma and Clark celebrated 62 years together.

Wilma began working as a teenager, waitressing at a Corning restaurant and this is where she met Clark.  She later worked many years in Red Oak, Iowa at the Union Carbide Plant.  The work she loved most was being a Nurse Aide and worked 28 years at Rosary Hospital, now CHI Health in Corning.  She was also a member of the Rose Ann’s Auxiliary for Rosary Hospital.  After Wilma retired from the hospital, she continued working as a Nurse Aide, providing Home Health Care.  In her spare time, Wilma spent many years taking tickets at the front gate at the Adams County Speedway.  

Wilma was known for her delicious Angel Food Cakes and made many over the years for friends and family.  Wilma also enjoyed playing cards, Crocheting and the visits she had from her grand-puppy, Bailey.  Each year for many years, Wilma and Clark spent 2 weeks camping at the Iowa State Fair and following retirement, wintered in Alamo, Texas many years.

Left to cherish Wilma’s memory is her daughter, Nancy Robards of Corning, Iowa; her son, Doug (wife Sandy) Peterson of Corning, Iowa and her daughter, Jeanie Bastian of Atlantic, Iowa; sister, Wanda Victor of Prescott, Iowa; her grandchildren:  Chad (wife Ashley) Davis of Parker, Colorado; Angela Swearingen of DeLand, Florida; Lori (husband Matt) Mitchell of Nodaway, Iowa; Scott Peterson (Heather Danekas) of Lincoln, Nebraska; 10 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great-grandchildren; and a host of other family and friends.

Wilma was preceded in death by her husband, Clark in 2011; her parents; her 2 brothers:  Russell (and wife Lois) Hardisty and Glenn (and wife, Anna Ruth) Hardisty; her sister, Donna Adams (and husband Dean); a son-in-law, Raymond Robards; and 2 brothers-in-law:  LeRoy Blazek and Wayne Victor.