"My deepest sympathy to pastor Kim and the family you are all in my thoughts and my prayers Terri Meyer more than pastors, friends."
In loving memory of
Rev. Trudy A. Peterson
December 11, 1955 - June 6, 2019
Memorials in Reverend Trudy's memory will be directed by the family to the ALS Association and to the Western Iowa Synod Seminarian Support.
A funeral service will be held Monday, June 10, 2019, at 10:30 AM at Good Hope Lutheran Church in Titonka with Bishop Rodger Prois officiating. Her family will greet friends on Sunday from 5 to 7 PM at Oakcrest Funeral Services of Titonka and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Monday.
Further visitation will be held at Gorgen Funeral Home, in Dodgeville, WI on Tuesday, June 11th from 5 to 7 PM. Graveside services will be held Wednesday, June 12th at 1:30 PM at Otter Creek Lutheran Church Cemetery in rural Highland, WI, with Bishop Viviane Thomas-Breitfeld presiding.
The Rev. Trudy A. Peterson was born December 11, 1955, in Springfield, IL, the daughter of Robert and Frieda (Stach) Maloney. Trudy and her brothers, Tom and Terry, were the first triplets born at Memorial Hospital in Springfield, IL. They joined a brother, John, who was two years old when they were born.
Trudy was baptized January 11, 1956, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Springfield, IL, and confirmed her faith in the rite of confirmation before Immanuel Lutheran. While in confirmation classes, Trudy first sensed the calling into the ministry. Trudy attended school in Springfield, graduating from Lanphier High School in 1973. She was number 11 in a class of 500. Besides her academic abilities, Trudy started a lifetime love of sewing in high school. She earned the Betty Crocker Award for sewing the same year her brother Tom received the Betty Crocker Award for cooking. She discovered a love of music during her education, spending many years in school and church choirs.
Trudy attended Western Illinois University, Macomb, Illinois, and later transferred to Luther College, Decorah, Iowa, from which she graduated in 1973. Trudy then went on to attend Wartburg Theological Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa. One highlight of her seminary education was being able to go on a trip to Israel. On February 3, 1983, Trudy was ordained at West Clermont Lutheran Church, Clermont, Iowa.
At Wartburg Seminary she met her husband, Kim. They were married on August 31, 1980 at Wartburg Theological Seminary with Dr. Norma Everist presiding. Their marriage was blessed with two daughters, Kymberly and Stephanie. Trudy and Kim served a number of parishes including: West Clermont Lutheran, Clermont, IA; Immanuel Lutheran, Titonka, IA; Cambridge Lutheran, Cambridge, IL; Grace Lutheran, Opheim, IL; St. Matthews Lutheran, Princeton, IL; St. John Lutheran, Boyden, IA; Grace Lutheran, Primghar, IA; Parish Three Lutheran, Woden, IA, and Good Hope Lutheran, Titonka, IA.
As one of the early clergy couples in the Lutheran Church they often introduced women in ministry and worked together to love and serve their congregations. Throughout her career, Trudy served as an internship supervisor, on several committees including the planning committee for the Synod Assembly and the Candidacy Committee, served as an Interim for many churches, and served with Kim as Intentional Interim pastors at Lost Island Lutheran, Lost Island, IA, and Bethany Lutheran, Emmetsburg, IA.
For the past three years, Trudy has struggled with ALS. On June 6, 2019, Trudy was finally set free, joining the Saints in Heaven.
She is survived by her husband, The Rev. Kim Peterson, and daughters, Kymberly (Edward) Pease of Boyden, IA, and Stephanie Peterson of Sanborn, IA. She is also survived by her brother Tom (Kat) Maloney of Springfield, IL; brother-in-law Steve (Kathy) Peterson of Dodgeville, WI; Nieces Jessica Scott, Stephanie Scott, & Nataley Maloney of Springfield, IL; nephew Michael (Melissa) Peterson and niece Michelle Peterson of Dodgeville, WI; several great-nieces and nephews; and many other family and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Frieda Maloney, and brothers Terry Maloney and John Maloney.
Tributes
"You have our deepest sympathy. Your in our thoughts and prayers ??. "
"Pastor Trudy was gracious and lovingly shared her knowledge, comfort, delightful laugh, books, and time. She will be missed. "
"So sorry to learn of Pastor Trudy's passing. Have some fond memories when she and Pastor Kim served us here in Sibley. You all have our deepest sympathy during this time. Bruce and Sue Wunder"
"So sorry to hear of Pastor Trudy's death. We knew she was diagnosed with ALS and had entered hospice recently. It is such a dreadful disease for patients and family to endure. You have all been in our prayers ever since we heard of her diagnosis. We have found memories of Trudy when you, Pastor Kim, and Trudy served Trinity Lutheran in Sibley. You both were there when we had some trying times. We are sending our deepest sympathy and virtual hug to all in your family. Bill and Lois Timmermann"
"Rog and I and our family have many wonderful memories of Pastor Kim and Pastor Trudy when you served St. John at Boyden. Memories are a wonderful and precious gift from God."