Nona Salina Peterson, a resident of Pima, entered into eternal life Tuesday evening, Jan. 5, 2016, at the Haven of Safford. She was 90.
Nona was born Sept. 26, 1925, in Clarkdale to Jim and Mable Maner. Later, the family moved to Pima, where Nona received her education. At the age of 14, Nona married Elwyn Brown. To this union, six children were born: Benny, deceased (Arlene), Eddie, Norma Peck (Nelson), Nila Ramsey (Raymond), Jerry (Linda) and Rex (Maryann). The family moved several times, settling on Cottonwood Wash near Pima.
Every year, they grew a large crop of cantaloupe and watermelon. A large garden also provided the family with fresh produce. Nona canned a lot and loved every minute of it. She also enjoyed cooking, sewing, camping, fishing and hunting. Nona did a great job at whatever she took on. When her children were small, Nona worked in the fields with them. Later, she was employed at Rogge’s Meat Plant as a meat wrapper and at Peterson’s Market as a clerk/bookkeeper.
Several years after her marriage ended, Nona married Dwain Peterson, and they loved to travel. They visited Hawaii, the Grand Canyon and enjoyed a long road trip with good friends Lamell and Rohlene Pollock and J.B. and Sally Kight.
After Dwain’s passing, Nona went to Disneyland with Ray and Nila Ramsey and their children and grandchildren. At 78 years of age, she enjoyed the rides as much as the kids. Nona also visited the country of Peru twice with her daughter, Nila. She enjoyed all of the sightseeing trips and even considered the earthquake that occurred while she was there an adventure.
Nona had a wonderful laugh. She adored visits from family, a good joke and a cup of coffee with friends. She loved hoeing weeds and kept her large yard immaculate. When failing health found her in the nursing home, Nona would often comment, “If I could just get out of here and hoe a few weeds, I wouldn’t mind this so much.” Nona was sure she would walk again and continued her exercise therapy until several days before she passed away.
Nona is survived by: her children, Eddie, Norma (Nelson), Nila (Ray), Jerry (Linda) and Rex (Maryann); stepdaughters, Sheila Saline and Marsha Colburn; 30 grandchildren; 101 great-grandchildren; and 23 great-great-grandchildren. G.G., as all the grandkids called her, was loved by many and will be greatly missed by each of those left behind.
Nona was preceded in death by: her husband, Dwain; her son, Benny Brown; her parents, Jim and Mable Maner; four brothers, Chester Webb, Howard Webb, Buster Maner and Ivan Maner; a half sister, Norene Tillotson; a son-in-law, Donald Saline; her grandson, Nolan Peck; and great-granddaughter, Macey Morris.
Funeral services for Nona were conducted Monday, Jan. 11, 2016, at the Pima LDS Chapel by Bishop Mike Brown, of the Pima Fourth Ward. Concluding services followed in the Pima Cemetery.
Online condolences may be offered at viningfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements were entrusted to Vining Funeral Home.