A celebration of life for Ramona Peterson will be at 2:30 p.m. Sunday at Bridge Community Church, 2016 Bridge Ave. in Albert Lea. Visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday at Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service at the church Sunday. The Revs. Richard Merkouris and Clayton Balsley will officiate. Interment will be at Alden Cemetery. Online condolences are welcome at www.bayviewfuneral.com.

Ramona went home to be with her Lord and savior on Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2019.

S. Ramona Peterson, the daughter of Elmer and Naomi Hansen, was born Sept. 13, 1929, in Albert Lea. She attended and graduated from Albert Lea High School in 1947. She worked at a dental office in Albert Lea following graduation.

On June 5, 1949, she was united in marriage with Richard Peterson at Calvary Baptist Church, now Bridge Community Church, in Albert Lea.

They lived on the Alma Larson farm near Alden until they moved to their farm in 1951, where they lived the rest of their married lives and raised their two children. Their first home was lost to a devastating fire in 1958.

Richard passed away in 2006. In 2011, Ramona moved into Good Samaritan Society of Albert Lea, and then to memory care at Oak Park Place in 2014. She enjoyed being a farmer’s wife, raising her children and taking care of her grandchildren.

Her first love was her Lord and savior, Jesus Christ, and she was honored to serve him at her church, Calvary Baptist in Albert Lea, for many years in various positions.

After Richard had a life-changing accident in 1984 and became a paraplegic, she became his nurse — the one occupation she had always wanted to be. She continued to be active in church, taking care of her grandchildren and was always known for sending everyone cards for all occasions. Thanks be to God!

Survivors include her daughter, Paula (Jerry) Merkouris, of Valley Springs, South Dakota; son, Timothy (Karla) Peterson, of Alden; seven grandchildren, Ruth Ann (Peter) Scott, Ryan (Janelle) Merkouris, Richard (Shannon) Merkouris, Dustin (Kass) Peterson, Sonja (Mike) Denow, Rosanne Merkouris and Chad (Rachael) Peterson; 13 great-grandchildren; sisters Polly Nelson and Althea Schmidt of Albert Lea; in-laws Dick Jensen, Charlotte Peterson and Dick Thunstedt; and many nieces and nephews.

Ramona was preceded in death by her husband, Richard; parents Elmer and Naomi; brother, Roger; and sister, Betty Anne.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be directed to the donor’s choice or Bridge Community Church, 2016 Bridge Ave. in Albert Lea.

The family extends their deepest thanks to Oak Park Place and Good Samaritan Society of Albert Lea for the wonderful care she received and to each of you who have prayed for her. God bless you all.