Viola Petersen

VIOLA PETERSEN

Dysart

Viola M. (Salger) Petersen, 91, of Dysart, died Saturday, Nov. 8, 2014, at her home surrounded by her family. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 12, at Zion Lutheran Church, Dysart, with the Rev. James R. Raddatz and the Rev. Gary L. Johnson officiating. Interment will be in Dysart Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 11, also at the church in Dysart.

A memorial fund has been established.

Viola was born Aug. 18, 1923, to Herman and Marie "Mary" Alpers Salger, at home. She was united in marriage to Glen Wm. Petersen on April 19, 1942, at the Trinity Lutheran Church Parsonage in Vinton. She and Glen farmed their entire married lives together side by side. In 1989, they moved into Dysart.

Viola loved gardening and canning and was an excellent cook.

Viola spent her time attending stock car races. She started at Tunis Speedway in Waterloo and made several trips to Daytona. The past several years she loved going to watch her great-grandson, Sam Wieben, race his stock car. Social events were spent with Alvin Witt in many surrounding towns, making lasting friends at them all. Viola loved spending time with her family and could always make you laugh.

She is survived by her two daughters, Gretchen Lassen of Dysart and Glenda (Royce) Ohrt of Buckingham; her three sons, Greg (Sandy) Petersen, Grant Petersen and Garth Petersen, all of Dysart; 14 great-grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; her sister, Arlene Kruger of Garrison; and many nieces, nephews, cousins.

Viola was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Glen, in 1997; two sisters, Nadine Salger Raymond and Loretta Salger Struve; and two brothers, Larry and Marion Salger.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.phillips funeralhomes.com.