Ihla R. Peterson

Ihla Ruth (Nelson) Peterson, our beloved mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Sunday, December 15, 2024, at ThedaCare Medical Center in Waupaca. She was born on her great grandfather's farm in Scandinavia, WI on April 10, 1931, daughter of the late Isaac Nelson and Mathilda (Brandt) Nelson Dain. She was baptized at Scandinavia Lutheran Church and confirmed at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Manawa. She graduated with the Class of 1949 from Little Wolf High School, Manawa. On October 27, 1951, she married James Peterson at Zion Lutheran Church, Manawa where she was a lifelong member. He preceded her in death on January 16, 2013.

Ihla stayed home to raise all her five children until they were in school and then she worked at several Manawa businesses where she made many friends. Her and her husband, Jim, owned a small farm where they collected Farmall tractors. They enjoyed traveling with family and friends. She was an avid Milwaukee Brewers and Green Bay Packers fan. She was very special to her family, especially the grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She is survived by her children all of Manawa: Linda and Steve Bauer and their children Matthew (Allison) Bauer, Alissa (Dan) Truel, Gena (Ryan) Gullixon, Jeremy (Katie) Bauer; Cheri and Randy Hass and their children Jesse (Julie) Hass, Luke (Tiffany) Hass; Rick Peterson and special friend Kelly and his children Dana (Corey) Bogenschutz, Tony Peterson, Jana (Cole) Rasmussen, Austin (Olivia) Peterson; Lana and Duane Draeger and their children Cara (Jeremiah) Johnson, Briana (Kyle) Bosquez, Kali Draeger; Kay Suehs and her children Nicki (Luke) Seeger, Brandon Suehs, Shauna (Kris) Zielke; great grandchildren: Brock, Parker, Broghan and Jace Gullixon, Gavin Bauer, Megan and Avary Truel, Bracyn, Rohan and Iversynn Hass, Ty, Lydia and Myles Hass, Alex and Rhys Bogenschutz, Juna Rasmussen, Charlie and Lila Peterson, Rylee and Owyn Bosquez, Aubrie, Emrey Ihla, Cashton, Brihla and Jovie Seeger, Christiana, Ashland and Bennet Suehs, Brayden and Brystal Zielke, future baby Peterson; step grandchildren: Camron, Dallas and Macin; sister-in-law, Vivian Losselyong and many nieces and nephews.

Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her mother and father-in-law, Irvin and Clara Peterson; special son-in-law, Mark Suehs; sister: Millie (Burton) Malnory; brothers: Harry (Jeanette) Nelson, Eppie Nelson, Emery (Betty) Nelson, George (Dorothy) Nelson; sister and brothers-in-law: Irene (Lloyd) Schimke, Donny Losselyoung; granddaughter, Tanna Hass; stepfather, Carl Dain; many nieces and nephews.

The Christian Funeral for Ihla will be held on Friday, December 20, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at Zion Lutheran Church in Manawa with Rev. Kelly Loken officiating. Burial will be in Little Wolf Cemetery, Town of Little Wolf. A visitation will be held on Thursday, December 19, 2024, from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. at the Dahlke Life Celebration Center in Manawa and at the church on Friday from 9:30 a.m. until 10:45 a.m.