September
05,
1933
05,
1933
September
08,
2023
08,
2023
September 5, 1933 ~ September 8, 2023
Betty Jean Petersen was born on September 5, 1933 to William and Amanda (Koch) Sievers. She was baptized in Gretna and enjoyed growing up on several farms. She attended a country school in rural Gretna. The family moved to a farm near Elkhorn where she graduated in 1950. She enjoyed attending EHS reunions with her last one being the 70th.
When Betty was 13 she met Bill Petersen of Irvington. They would continue to date even through Bill enlisting in the Navy during the Korean War. He left for basic training in Chicago on Betty’s 17th birthday. While on leave in February of 1952 he proposed and a year later they were married while on leave on February 27, 1953. They had a beautiful Friday wedding but the following day there was a snowstorm that impacted their honeymoon to Lincoln. Since Bill was in the service they moved to San Diego. When Bill was discharged they return to Omaha and bought a house in Benson where they would raise their family. Judy was born in 1957 and Bill Jr. arrived 2 years later.
For most of her work Betty was a bookkeeper and often assumed leadership roles. She worked for Omaha Transit, World Insurance and Great Plains Federal Credit Union. She also worked at Husted’s in the fabric department. She stayed home for 11 years to raise her children.
Betty and Bill would become involved in activities to support youth. While their children attended Benson West they were PTA President and went on to earn State Life Memberships. Betty would continue her involvement and became Nebraska State PTA President attending several national conventions. She was also a consultant on the national level and would be named National Life Parent Teacher Association Member. She continued her support of schools at Monroe Jr. High and the Benson High School Booster Club. She was a Camp Fire leader and a Cub Scout Den Mother.
Church was always an important part of Betty’s life. She was involved in a range of activities at both Bethany Lutheran Church in Elkhorn and Immanuel Lutheran Church in Benson. She has taught Sunday School and Bible School. She enjoyed attending functions for Women of the Church and Circles. Bill and Betty were also involved in the couples Bell Choir.
Betty was very proud she stayed independently at her home on the farm until she was 90. In 1984 they built a new home on the Petersen land and a few years later they built a shed. She loved her home and enjoyed cooking, canning, gardening, birdwatching, polkas and just being outdoors. She also enjoyed sewing and knitting. The grandsons were always welcome and would find there would be something special to do. During retirement they enjoyed square dancing with the North Stars.
Betty was proceeded by her husband, Bill, and sister Geraldine. She is survived by her daughter Judy Lefeber (Steve) and son William Petersen Jr. She is also survived by four beloved grandsons, Nicholas Lefeber, Kurt Petersen, Kyle Lefeber (Kati) and Collin Lefeber. She has 2 great grandchildren, Theo and Clara Lefeber. Her family also includes her sister, Dorothy Schultz (Richard) and brother-in-law, John Petersen (Geraldine). There are so many nieces and nephews, cousins and friends she considers dear.
lieu of flowers family has requested memorials be given to Immanuel Lutheran Church.
Visitation: 5:00 pm ~ 7:00 pm, Friday, September 15, 2023 at Braman Mortuary 72nd street
Celebration of Life: Saturday, September 16th, 2023 at 11:00 am, at Immanuel Lutheran Church.
INTERMENT: Springwell Cemetery, Omaha, NE.
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