Elsia A. Peetz, 97

Elsia A. Peetz, 97, of Bennington, died Tuesday, July 31, 2001, at Life Care Center of Elkhorn.

Funeral services were held Friday, Aug. 3, at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Bennington, with the Rev. Sacia Vik officiating. Interment was in Evergreen Memorial Park in Omaha.

Elsia Anna (Ruschmann) Peetz was born June 19, 1904 in Winside, Neb. to Marcus and Emma (Reese) Ruschmann. She was baptized at Winside Lutheran Church in Wayne County on Oct. 8, 1905. In 1906, she moved to Douglas County to a farm on 156th and Blondo in Omaha. She was confirmed June 9, 1929, at Bethany Lutheran Church in Elkhorn by the Rev. Seesko.

On Oct. 29, 1924, she married Arthur John Peetz at Papillion First Lutheran Church. The couple had five children, and the family lived on the farm until Jan. 1, 1948, when they moved to Bennington. On June 21, 1948, the couple joined St. John’s Lutheran Church of Bennington. Mr. Peetz was a volunteer for the Fire Department in Bennington. On July 19, 1958, he died while on a fire call.

On Feb. 22, 1990, Mrs. Peetz moved from her house to the Benn View retirement center. Many of her friends lived there, so she felt right at home. In November, 1993, due to failing health, Mrs. Peetz had to move to the Life Care Center in Elkhorn.

She is survived by three sons and daughters-in-law, Donald and Harriette Peetz and Alvin and Marie Peetz, all of Omaha, and Melvin and Marlene Peetz of Mesa, Ariz.; and two daughters, Lorraine Johnson and her friends, Harry Lenz of Omaha, and Shirley Yacko of Midwest City, Okla., 17 grandchildren, 33 great-grandchildren, two great-great-grand-children, and a sister and brother-in-law, Edna and Elmer Herbolsheimer of Pierce.

In addition to her husband, Arthur, she was preceded in death by two sisters, Helen and Arlene, and four brothers, Claus, Ralph, Chris and Ervin.

Memorials are suggested to St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church or to the Bennington Rescue Squad.

Haden Golden Reichmuth Funeral Home in Bennington was in charge of arrangements.