Marilyn Lawson Peterson

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Marilyn Lawson Peterson, 89, loving and devoted wife, mother, sister, educator and friend, of Lincoln passed away March 29, 2023. She was born to the late Willard and Grace (Focht) Lawson, October 24, 1933, in Raymond, NE.

Marilyn graduated from Raymond High School in 1951 and received her BS and ME degrees in Elementary Education and Specialist in Elementary Administration Certificate all from the University of Nebraska Lincoln. She married the late Patrick Peterson in 1955.

A lifelong educator, teaching thousands of students, Marilyn touched countless lives in 12 schools in Nebraska during her career. Marilyn was an educator for 44 years, beginning her journey in a rural school in Lancaster County and serving as an elementary principal in Lincoln Public Schools for her last nine years before retirement in 1996. She was very passionate about making a difference in the lives of her students who were underprivileged, disadvantaged, learning disable and troubled youth. Her proudest moments were spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She cherished watching them grow in their lives and careers.

Marilyn was an active member of St. John The Apostle Catholic Church where she sang in the Praise Choir for 40 plus years. Music played a big part in her life. She also sang with the Lancaster County Chorus, Eastmont Towers Chorus, Women’s Christian Chorus and Greasers. She loved to garden, bake, play golf and to crochet.

Marilyn was a member of St. John the Apostle Catholic Church, St. John’s Altar Society, Alpha Theta Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma, Phi Delta Kappa, NAESP, NARSP, LARSP.

Marilyn is survived by her son Greg Peterson, Lincoln; daughter Michelle (Millard “Gus”) Gustafson, Beatrice; grandchildren Danae Peterson, Lincoln, Bailey (Evan) Neville, Omaha, Chevis Krull (fiancé Jeremy Epp), Beatrice, Chanae (Brian) Weyers, Filley, Benton Patrick Wayne Gustafson, Beatrice; great-grandchildren Grayson and Sean Krull and Brekyn and Emery Weyers, Coy Tucker Neville and Matilda Peterson; Lincoln; and many nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by her parents, husband Patrick, parents-in-law Earl and Evelyn Peterson, sisters and spouses Donna and Charles Holka, Sharon and Gayle Peterson, Ruth and Joe Slaby; brother Roger and Mary Lawson.

Mass of Christian Burial: 10:30 a.m., Monday, April 3, 2023, St. John The Apostle Catholic Church, 7601 Vine St. Burial in Lincoln Memorial Park Cemetery. Rosary will be held prior to Mass, beginning 10:00 a.m. at St. John the Apostle Catholic Church.

Visitation will be held from 2:00 p.m.-5:00p.m., Sunday, April 2, 2023, at Roper and Sons Midtown Chapel, 4300 ‘O’ Street, Lincoln (05)

Memorials to St. John The Apostle Catholic Church, Lincoln Public Schools, or the Eastmont Towers Foundation.

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Services

April2

Visitation

2:00 pm-5:00 pm CST

Roper & Sons Midtown Chapel

4300 O St.
Lincoln, NE 68510

(402) 476-1225

April3

Rosary

10:00 am-10:30 am CST

St. John The Apostle Catholic Church

7601 Vine St., Lincoln, NE

April3

Mass of Christian Burial

10:30 am CST

St. John The Apostle Catholic Church

7601 Vine St., Lincoln, NE

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Share a Memory or Condolence

April 5, 2023

Dear Family, My thoughts and prayers are with you. My late husband (Larry) was from Raymond and always spoke highly of her.

– Judy Chuda (from St Johs Church)

April 3, 2023

Marilyn was a wonderful neighbor in our Meadowlane neighborhood. I very much enjoyed our visits through the years. Remember her picture in the newspaper making pies? Cherry, I think. She had many talents! She was very much missed by me and the entire neighborhood when Eastmont became her home. She made a difference wherever she was. I was so sorry to read of her passing. My sincere sympathies.

– Pat Lewis

April 3, 2023

Your mother was truly a wonderful person. She always had a smile and was quick to say hello. I will greatly miss that here in the halls of Eastmont. I always enjoyed working with her and just talking with her. My greatest joy now is knowing that her faith has carried her through, and she is no longer struggling or in pain. Cherish your memories as they will sustain you through this difficult time. My prayers and sympathies are with you.

– Pam P. Occupational Therapist, Eastmont.

April 3, 2023

I am so sorry for your loss. I so enjoyed working with and getting to know Marilyn through the Senior productions at the Lincoln Community Playhouse. We were “pick-a-little” ladies in Music Man in our first production together and in Singing in the Rain in our last. She was an inspiration!

– Pat Kohl

April 3, 2023

Many of us knew Marilyn as a fellow educator but also through her participation in plays at The Lincoln Community Playhouse & our singing group, GREASERS. We remember her with such fondness and wish peace & comfort to all at this sad time of loss. Sincerely, Carol Meyer

– Carol Meyer

April 3, 2023

Marilyn was such a lovely lady, both inside and out. Always looked forward to our visits through the years. She was so welcoming to my parents, Russell and Grace Pickel when they moved into Eastmont. Her smiling face and warm personality will forever be remembered.