Ramona N. Peterson

Ramona Peterson went home to be with her Lord on June 15, 2013. She was born to Leo and Lola (Jones) Huddleston on Sept. 10, 1923, at home in Salem. She was proud to be a fifth-generation Oregonian. Her pioneer family set out from Independence, Mo., to Oregon in 1845. Ramona was a member of the Sons and Daughters of the Oregon Pioneers. Ramona grew up in Salem; attended Englewood Elementary School and Parrish Junior High School; and graduated with honors from Salem High School in 1941. She attended Pacific University in Forest Grove on a scholarship. Next, she transferred to Oregon State University to study to become a home economics teacher. It was at this point that she knew it was young children she wanted to work with. The following year she transferred to Oregon College of Education, where she received her Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education. Her teaching career started in Redmond during World War II. Next she taught at John Gumm School in St. Helens. This is where she met Leonard Peterson. They married on Feb. 2, 1947. In 1953, the couple moved to Corvallis, where they purchased a business and later started Peterson Refrigeration. Ramona was the bookkeeper and receptionist until her husband’s retirement in 1983. Ramona studied and became a floral show judge. She was a member of the Lincoln Garden Club and the Corvallis Garden Club, in which she held many offices. She also was a charter member of the Good Sam Club, Morning Star Grange and the American Legion Women’s Auxiliary. She always was involved in her daughter’s activities. She was a Girl Scout leader and a 4-H leader, and was active in the Rainbow Girls. She achieved excellence in everything she did. She was an accomplished seamstress, and a baker especially known for her pies, cookies and decorated cakes. She loved gardening. Ramona and her husband loved to travel and had the opportunity to visit Europe, Mexico, Africa, Australia and Canada, plus extensive travel of the United States. Ramona moved to Salem in 2007 to be closer to her daughter. She always said she was so happy to be coming home to Salem. There she was reunited with many friends from elementary school through college. She was active in Salem First Church of the Nazarene, where she made many new and special friendships. Ramona was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 55 years, Leonard Peterson; grandson Erik Lisman; and sister Leola Foreman. She is survived by her daughters, Karen Rudd and husband Steve of Hot Springs, Ark., Janet Binning and husband Garry of Silverton, and Cynthia Hagenauer and husband Dale of Salem; grandchildren Kerry, Craig, Kristine and Jennifer; great-grandchildren Isabella and Erik; niece Joanne; and nephews Larry, Randy and Jack. A funeral service is set for 2 p.m. today, Wednesday, at McHenry Funeral Home in Corvallis. Private interment will take place at Willamette National Cemetery in Portland. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 29, at Salem First Church of the Nazarene, 1550 Market St. N.E.

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Ramona N. Peterson

September 10, 1923 - June 15, 2013