Edna Belle (Murray) Peterson departed this life on March 4, 2014, at Golden Living Center in Cozad, surrounded by her family and friends.

Edna Belle (Murray) Peterson was born at the farm home northeast of Farnam, to William Arthur and Minnie May (Mosley) Murray on Sept. 20, 1920.

Edna rode a horse to rural schools north of Farnam and to Farnam High School, where she graduated in 1939 as valedictorian of her class. She attended summer school at Kearney State College and taught eight years in rural schools and two years at Eustis Elementary, first and second grades.

On Dec. 31, 1948, Edna married Lloyd Peterson at Kearney. They enjoyed working together almost 45 years. Lloyd died Sept. 12, 1993. With the help of Larry Sanger and many others, Edna was able to continue with the cattle and farming northeast of Brady. She pursued water and grass conservation and received an award from the NRD in 2007. Edna served 12 years on the New Hope School board and was treasurer of Svea Dal Church Ladies Aid over 50 years.

Preceding her in death were her husband, Lloyd Andrew Peterson; parents, William and Minnie Murray; four brothers, Leo, Merle, Burr and one in infancy; and one sister, May Smallfoot, of Gothenburg.

Survivors include, one nephew, James Murray, of Joplin, Mo.; three nieces, Sharon Stone, of Rensselaer, Ind., Eileen Dell, of Granby, Mo., and Ruth Miller, of Gothenburg.

Memorials are suggested to the Brady Fire and Rescue, 207 E. Commercial PO Box 31, Brady, NE 69123; Svea Dal Evangelical Covenant, 1676 Svea Dal Road, Brady, NE 69123, or New Hope Cemetery. Online condolences may be shared at blasestrauser.com.

Services will be at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, March 11, at Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel with Pastors Larry Viter and Ken Sawyer officiating. Burial will follow at the New Hope Cemetery near Gothenburg. Visitation will be from 1-8 p.m. on Monday, March 10, at Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel, Gothenburg, with the family present from 6-7 p.m. Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

North Platte Telegraph, 6 March 2014