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Eudora M. Petersen, 86

Eudora M. Petersen, 86, passed away Saturday, May 23, 2026 in Concordia, KS. She was born on Christmas Eve, 1939 in Dodge City, KS. She was the oldest child and only daughter born to Victor F. and Mary E. (Cave) Speelman. Eudora spent her early years attending Dodge City schools, roller skating, learning to sew, helping with the family garden and chickens, and working at the Fairmount Dairy cone store.

She graduated from Dodge City High School in 1958. She then chose to attend Wesley Hospital School of Nursing in Wichita, KS, graduating and receiving her diploma in 1961. She began her nursing career at Trinity Hospital in Dodge City.

While attending nursing school in Wichita, Eudora met Marvin Petersen and they were married on April 29, 1962. On April 30 they moved to Concordia. In 1963 they moved to Sioux Falls, SD and remained there until they had the opportunity to return to Concordia in 1968. Eudora utilized her nursing skills working at the Gelvin-Haughey Clinic in Concordia, Sioux Valley Hospital in Sioux Falls and St Joseph Hospital in Concordia. She expanded her nursing education by earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from Marymount College in 1975. After more than 25 years in nursing she took the opportunity to work at the Frank Carlson Library, learning new ways to serve the community. She retired in 2008.

Eudora enjoyed genealogy, researching her family's history, and helping others research theirs through the Cloud County Genealogical Society. Genealogy research took her to a variety of libraries and cemeteries across the United States. Her interest in family history also led to her membership in the Nathan Edson chapter of The Daughters of the American Revolution. She was an expert seamstress and delighted in every aspect of quilting from picking a pattern and searching for fabric to cutting pieces out and sewing them back together. She had a passion for serving others, especially through the United Methodist Women and Concordia First United Methodist Church. Living her faith through service often looked like participating in mission projects, organizing a funeral dinner, or preparing a big batch of chicken and noodles. Eudora and Marvin were Cooperative Weather Observers for 23 years, documenting and reporting weather data for the National Weather Service. In 2020 they were presented the John Campanius Holm Award by the US Department of Commerce National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in recognition of exemplary reporting of meteorological observations through highly accurate and detailed temperature and precipitation records providing a valuable resource to the Nation's climate and weather programs. Eudora loved long road trips, starting new projects, visiting relatives, making crafty things for her granddaughters, and brewing a fresh pot of coffee.

Eudora was preceded in death by her parents, Victor and Mary Speelman; her brother James Speelman; and Marvin Petersen, her husband of 62 years. She is survived by her daughter Emilie Petersen, Wichita, KS; son Nelsen Petersen, Superior, NE; granddaughters Greta (Sam) Dee, Chicago, IL; and Sara Petersen, Wichita, KS; brother Joseph (Sheryl) Speelman, The Woodlands, TX; brothers-in-law Albert (Evelyn) Peterson, Eau Clair, WI; Calvin Petersen, Webster, WI; Chlorn Petersen, Chippewa Falls, WI; Dorsey (Andrea) Petersen, Ellsworth, WI; and Wilkie (Rita) Petersen, Webster, WI; sister-in-law Effie Petersen, Marion, NC; numerous nephews and nieces, and many friends.

Visitation will be held on June 12, 2026 from 1pm to 7pm at Nutter Mortuary in Concordia, KS with family present from 5pm to 7pm.

Funeral services will be on June 13, 2026 at 10 am at Concordia First United Methodist Church, Concordia, KS with Pastor Tony Serbousek officiating.

In lieu of flowers, Memorial Contributions can be made to the Concordia First United Methodist Church or the Frank Carlson Library.

For online condolences, please visit nuttermortuary.com.

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