Nona A (Zierke) Peterson

Nona A. Peterson, age 96, of Brainerd passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 19, 2024, in Brainerd.  Funeral services will be at 1:30 on Friday, March 29, 2024, at the Nelson-Doran Funeral Home in Brainerd. Visitation will be held from 12:30PM until the time of services.  Interment will be in Evergreen Cemetery, Brainerd.

Nona was born July 28, 1927, in Brainerd; the daughter of Roy and Ivy (Hall) Zierke. She met the love of her life Calvin Peterson. This love story started with Calvin walking home after riding horse with a saddle over his shoulder; Nona and her friends offered this handsome man a ride home in their car. Cal went into his house and took a picture off his mother’s dresser and gave it to her and knew he was going to marry her. Before they were married, they rode double on a horse and ate pickled herring. The couple had one child, Vicky. Nona was diagnosed with cancer in 1954, beat it, and remained cancer-free for 69 years. Nona was a protective and watchful mother who enjoyed riding horses with Vicky & her husband. She enjoyed shopping adventures and visiting friends. As the next generation came along, Nona thoroughly spoiled her grandchildren and always kept them on the straight and narrow; however, enjoyed staying active with adventures. She enjoyed riding smaller horses because they were the best fit for her small stature. She always went with Vicky and Cal to their horse shows; the family did many trail rides together. Nona was a spit fire, caring, selfless, animal lover and devotedly prayed on her walks through the woods.  She will be dearly missed by all who knew her.

Nona is survived by her daughter, Vicky Schwartz; grandsons, Justin, and Chris (Mindy) Schwartz; great grandchildren, Hannah, Owen, Steven, Ethan, Sara, Andriah; great-great grandchildren, Flynn, Phoenix, Archer, and one on the way.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Calvin; and favorite son-in-law, Maurice Schwartz.

Nona’s family would like to encourage guests to wear their best cowboy hat in her memory.

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