Mennita Peterson

Mennita (Lander) Peterson, age 85, of West, passed away late Tuesday morning, May 15, 2007 at West Rest Haven. Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Friday at the Aderhold Funeral Home Chapel in West, with Rev. Ann Hitt officiating. Burial will follow at Closner Cemetery near West. The family will receive visitors from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Mrs. Peterson was born on June 1, 1921 in Hill County near the Malone area, the daughter of Henry and Annie (Symank) Lander. As she was growing up, she attended White School near Malone. On October 30, 1940 in West, she was united in marriage to Harrison Nelson "Shorty" Peterson. He preceded her in death on April 22, 1980. She worked as a seamstress for Lorch Manufacturing in West for over 30 years until her retirement in 1987, she then continued doing alterations for prom and wedding dresses at JoAnn's Bridal Shop. Mennita was a homemaker and enjoyed her flowers, gardening, canning, baking kolaches, sewing, and quilting. She dearly loved spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and enjoyed making quilts for each one of them. She was a member of First United Methodist Church of West. She is also preceded in death by her parents; a great granddaughter, Haley Lynn Peterson; four sisters; and one brother. Survivors include one son, Milton Peterson and wife Irene of Malone; three daughters, Nancy Hayes and husband Gary of Ft. Mohave, Arizona, Mary Mangrum and husband Boyd of West and Mollie Hatton and husband Russel of Bryan; one brother, Hilbert Lander of Greenville; one sister Lorene Markwardt of Malone; thirteen grandchildren; fifteen great-grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Active pallbearers will be Kenneth Peterson, Matthew Peterson, Marshall Peterson, Christopher Hatton, Leland Mangrum, Robert Seith, Matthew Pustejovsky, and Milton Burrell Jr. Honorary pallbearers are her remaining Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren. Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, Closner Cemetery Association, or the American Cancer Society.