Pluma Jo Peterson

Pluma Jo Peterson of Genoa, Nebraska, passed away Sunday, March 3, 2024, at the Columbus Community Hospital at the age of 86.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, March 8, 2024, at Augustana Lutheran Church in Genoa. Visitation is Thursday evening from 5-7:00 p.m., also at Augustana Lutheran Church, and will continue Friday morning from 9:30 a.m. until service time. Interment is in Valley View Cemetery.

The family suggests memorials to Augustana Lutheran Church, the Genoa U.S. Indian School Foundation, the Genoa Volunteer Fire Department, or the Nance County Agricultural Society for the Nance County Fair.

Pluma was born May 28, 1937, in Claude, Texas, to Paul W. and Jennie (Jordan) Metcalf, and she grew up on her family’s farm in the Texas panhandle, where she took vocal lessons and fostered her interest in singing. She graduated from Vega High School in 1956, and later earned a bachelor’s degree from West Texas State University.

She moved to Genoa in 1968 and met the man she would go on to marry when he stopped to help her change a flat tire. Pluma was united in marriage to Merle Peterson on Nov. 26, 1969, at Augustana Lutheran Church. She was a kind and wonderful mother to her two children.

She worked as a speech pathologist and audiologist for over 30 years for Genoa Public Schools and the Nebraska Educational Service Unit 7. She spoke fondly of the children and colleagues that she worked with throughout her career and had a passion for helping others.

Pluma was a member of Augustana Lutheran Church, where she was involved with the LCW and the church choir. She was also a member of P.E.O. and Delta Kappa Gamma. She had a life-long love of music, and especially enjoyed American Indian art, movies, flowers, and watching the baby calves on the farm.

She is preceded in death by her loving husband, Merle Peterson; her parents, Paul and Jennie Metcalf; her brother, Marvin Metcalf; and her brothers-in-law, Leroy Peterson, Curtis Peterson, Bud Burke, and Edwin Olson; and sisters-in-law, Katherine Peterson, Jeanette Olson, and Maybelle Burke.

Pluma is survived by her daughter, Jennie (Robert) Peterson of Denver, Colo.; her son, David Peterson of Clarksville, Texas; her grandson, William Peterson of Clarksville, Texas; her sister-in-law Anne Peterson of Genoa; and many treasured nieces and nephews, cousins, and friends.

McKown Rice Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.