Pauline Peterson

Date of Birth

Jun 27,1925

Date of Death

May 08,2018

Pauline Peterson, age 92, of Geneva, passed away in the evening hours of May 8, 2018, surrounded by the love and prayers of her family. Pauline was born on June 27, 1925, to proud parents Victor and Myrtle (Johnson) Flint. In 1936, Pauline and her family moved to Geneva, IL to live on a farm. Pauline attended Geneva schools and graduated from Geneva High School in 1942 as Valedictorian. She was a very good typist and was swift with shorthand while at school. Upon graduation, Pauline went to work at the First National Bank of Geneva where she trained the future Vice President of the bank. One of Pauline’s favorite things to do in the evening was to go dancing. She would go out on the floor and dance endlessly. One evening, as fate would have it, she caught the eye of Einar W. Peterson. It was love at first sight, but the dance and the courtship had to be postponed while Einar served in the U.S. Navy. Upon his return, Einar called Pauline to say, “I’m back”; and they were united in marriage shortly thereafter on February 5, 1944. Sadly they had to wait for the newly wed life until after the war. For nine years, Pauline and Einar worked hard to save as much as they could in order to build their own home together. In 1953, they bought a half acre of land for their house that was built on a farm owned by their parents. Two years later, in 1955, they were blessed with the birth of their son, Rick. After Rick was born, Pauline became a stay at home mom so she could raise Rick and help her parents on the farm. When Rick was of school age, Pauline was the certified homework helper and would help him with all of his subjects. School was always something she was fond of and she hoped that she could pass that love on to him. Home was always bustling with farm life for Pauline. She and Einar had some of the biggest gardens you’ve ever seen. Instead of digging the potatoes by hand, they would use a tractor and potato plow to harvest when their potatoes were ready. They grew everything from berries to pumpkins in their garden. Pauline would show the fruits of her labor in the garden with her cooking and canning skills. She would fill countless mason jars with applesauce and beautiful preserves including grape jelly and Rick’s favorite, strawberry jelly. Sometimes Pauline would let her helpers come into the kitchen while she made her “to die for” pumpkin bread. It was a family affair and each of them would have a task. They loved her cooking and all of the creations she made in the kitchen. For years, Pauline, and sometimes Einar, were involved in a coffee group with some of the locals. They would get together as often as they could to have coffee and talk about life. Pauline and Einar made many lifetime friends through these meetings. Pauline was always so easy going and loving. She cared so much for her little family and wouldn’t have changed a thing. She will be sorely missed, but never forgotten. Pauline was a faithful member of Geneva Lutheran Church. Pauline is survived by her son, Rick Peterson; one grandson, Brian (Susan) Peterson; two great- grandsons, Will and Eli Peterson. She is preceded in death by her husband, Einar Peterson; her parents, Victor and Myrtle Peterson; and her sister, Amy Anderson. Private family services have been held. For more information, go to the Conley Funeral Home Facebook Page, or at www.conleycare.com where you can read her full life story.

Private family services have been held.

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