Ruby Jean Peterson
September 26, 1932 – March 26, 2023
Ruby Jean Peterson, 90 ½ years, of Omaha, Nebraska, passed away at Bergan Mercy Hospital and entered her heavenly home on March 26, 2023.
Ruby was a gem of a mom, wife, grandma, and friend. She entered this world on September 26, 1932, as an only daughter of Carl and Mildred (Carlson) Strom, growing up in the Griswold and Red Oak, Iowa area. She was an accomplished pianist and organist, accompanying for weddings, her school, and church. After high school, she worked as a teller at a Red Oak bank until her early twenties, when she took the bold step of moving to San Fernando Valley, California, to live with her Aunt Margaret and Uncle Mel.
She continued to work at a bank and was a diligent employee. Through a collaboration of two aunts from two families, the Carlsons and the Petersons, she eventually met Warren, the love of her life. They wrote letters during the last two years Warren served in the Navy and, upon his discharge, finally met in person. After a three-month courtship, they got married in a little Lutheran church in Las Vegas on October 19, 1957, with the pastor’s wife and cleaning lady as their witnesses. Immediately they started their family and had two daughters and a son.
Fourteen years of adventure in California included camping, beach outings, and numerous family and friend get-togethers. A job opportunity came up for Warren in Omaha, Nebraska, and they decided to move back to the Midwest, where most of their extended family lived. It was an adjustment for Ruby, who missed all that California had to offer, but after some time, she became the most passionate advocate for Omaha.
She spent the rest of her life in Omaha, raising her three children and enjoying her five grandchildren. She and Warren were devoted Christians and were active members of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Millard for over 40 years. They enjoyed boating in local lakes and vacationing at lakes around the United States and Canada. Ruby loved watching sports, especially Cornhusker football. Ruby and Warren also enjoyed traveling and had fond memories of trips to Sweden, Norway, England, and Alaska.
They were very proud of their Swedish heritage and honored many of the Swedish traditions, such as making Swedish potato bologna, rye bread, and brown beans. Ruby was an exceptional homemaker preparing meals for family and friends, gardening, and supporting her family in numerous ways. Throughout her life, she had a remarkably positive attitude and an abundance of energy. She lived her life devoted to God and her family and friends.
She is survived by her husband of over 65 years, Warren; daughters, Karla (Steve) Mackie and Kathy (Steve) Hird, all in Fort Collins, Colorado; son, Kent (Diane) Peterson in Omaha, Nebraska; five grandchildren: Holly Mackie, Bryan Hird, Dylan Hird, Ashley (Stephen) Peterson Meuret, and Aaron Peterson; brother-in-law, cousins, and nieces. Ruby was looking forward to the birth of her first great-grandchild in April.
She was preceded in death by her parents; father-in-law; mother-in-law; sister-in-law; a granddaughter; many aunts, uncles, and cousins.
A memorial service is planned for Saturday, May 27, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 13271 Millard Ave, Omaha, Nebraska 68137.
Memorials to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church.
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