Geraldine Demae Peterson

DERBY- Peterson, Geraldine D., 76, passed away Monday, May 13, 2013. Visitation 1-8pm Wednesday, family receiving 6-8 at Smith Mortuary, 1415 N. Rock Road., Derby. Funeral services 10 a.m. Thursday, May 16, at Woodlawn United Methodist Church in Derby. Burial at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in Altamont, KS. Geraldine was born on March 31, 1936 in Coffeeville, Kansas to Paul M. and Gladys P. Eli. She spent her childhood here and in Dennis, KS. Geraldine married Dennis Edward Gale Paterson on August 4, 1957 in Altamont, KS. Gerry was a supporter and a worker, she was most comfortable cooking and serving. She loved getting with “The Ladies”, her friends in the neighborhood and from the school cafeteria whom she ate with and played dominoes with until recently. She worked for the school systems in Tulsa, Fort Wayne and Derby as a lunch lady, and loved the children. She was a faithful member of the Woodlawn United Methodist Church, where she served in many capacities including coordinating funeral dinners. A special thanks goes out to the care and protection afforded her from her wonderful neighbors and friends whose visits saw her through these past months and years. They were nearly as close as family. Geraldine is survived by her sons, Randall (Nancy) Peterson of Norman, OK and Dennis (Rhonda) Peterson of Spiro, OK; sister, Wyvonna Swan; brother-in-law, Jerry Peterson; sister-in-law, Esther; grandchildren Connor, Nicole, and David Peterson; along with many friends and family in everywhere she lived, Coffeyville, Kansas, Tulsa, Oklahoma, Fort Wayne, Indiana and Derby, Kansas. She is preceded in death by her husband of 43 yrs; daughter, Denise Elaine Peterson; brother, Kenneth Eli. She will live on in the family and friends that she touched and served. Thanks also to the care givers with Always There Senior Care who kept watch over her and to Sterling House who made her last few months safe and comfortable. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made out to Woodlawn United Methodist Church.