MARY HELEN (HOLMQUIST)PETERS, life-long resident and community leader, passed away at the age of 89 on Sunday, February 10th in Oakland, Nebraska. She was born at the family home in Oakland on April 4, 1918, the youngest child and only daughter of August and Ora (Minier). Upon graduation from Oakland High School in 1936, Mary Helen first attended Mills College in San Francisco and later Northwestern University, where she earned a Bachelor of Music Education and a Master of Music. In January 1939, she met Bob Peters of Clearfield PA, also a music student at Northwestern, and they became campus sweethearts. The couple was united in marriage in Oakland on July 27, 1942. In 1946, her husband joined the Holmquist Grain and Lumber Company, and in 1950 they built a home in Oakland’s Morningside Addition and started their family. Mary Helen was actively involved in the First United Methodist Church, Girl Scouts and P.E.O. She served her church by playing the piano and organ for 50 years, with her husband by her side as choir director for 43 years following his return home from military service. Mary Helen’s involvement with the Girl Scouts was highlighted by her service as President of the Prairie Hills Girl Scouts Council and, in partnership with her husband, the establishment of Camp Crossed Arrows near Fontanelle, Nebraska. She and her husband traveled for over 20 years, creating lasting friendships worldwide. Mary Helen’s family’s roots run deep in Oakland history. She was the granddaughter of Olaf Holmquist, founder of Holmquist Grain and Lumber in 1883, and the daughter, sister and wife of succeeding company officers. Mary Helen served as the company’s Vice President for many years. Mary Helen was preceded in death by her father, August C., her mother, Ora Dell, and brothers: Harold, Merwyn, Claire, August II, and William Lee. She is survived by her husband of 65 years, Robert L.; her sons and daughters-in-law: Robert C. and Barbara of Omaha, and Patrick and Kristie of Crystal MN; daughter and son-in-law: Suzanne and William McMahon of Des Moines; and daughter: Sandra Snoke of Manhattan KS; grandchildren: Stephen and Elizabeth Snoke, Keenan McMahon and Tami Osberg, Mollie McMahon, and Joseph and Celia Peters; and great-grandchildren: Shannon and Liam Schadel; and special friend: Karen Nelson.

MEMORIAL SERVICE: Saturday, February 16, 2008, 2:00 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church, Oakland.

NO VISITATION

PRIAVE BURIAL IN THE OAKLAND CEMETERY AT A LATER DATE

MEMORIALS: First United Methodist Church, Oakland and Oakland Heights Nursing Home in care of Pelan Funeral Services, PO Box 51, Oakland NE 68045.

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