Obituary of Donna Peterson

Donna Doreen Peterson was born August 7, 1927 in Walnut, Iowa to Jess & Relinda (Carbuhn) Deen. She passed from this life January 22, 2012 at the age of 84. Donna had a great love for and was a long-time member of St. Dunstan's Episcopal Church. Donna met Byron "Barney" Peterson while dating his fraternity brother at Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa in the 1940's. Years later in Tulsa, she read an article about Barney building a WWI biplane, so she contacted him. They were married shortly thereafter on August 21, 1993. She loved gardening and working with flowers, especially roses and irises. She and Barney grew gourds in her garden which she enjoyed painting and decorating in addition to working with ceramics. She was an avid reader and enjoyed reading mysteries. Donna loved the holidays and their many family gatherings; July 4th was the family's biggest celebration. Donna enjoyed attending the Tulsa Ballet with her daughters. She also had an adventurous nature. Barney gave her a ride in a hot air balloon for her birthday one year. They did it again for their anniversary the next year. Donna was preceded in death by her first husband, Mart Schemel; her brother, Darwin Deen and a son, Eric Schemel. She is survived by her husband, Byron C. "Barney" Peterson; her children and their spouses, Jeff and Gail Huber, Tricia and Dean Martin, Gina and Ken Jones, Robert and Julie Huber, Paul and Joyce Peterson; brother, Danny Deen; 14 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. She will also be greatly missed by her loving dogs, Lucy, Perky and Winston. A funeral service will be held 1:00 pm Thursday, January 26, 2012 at St. Dunstan's Episcopal Church. Ninde Funeral & Cremation, 918 742 5556 ninde.com