Julie Peterson

JULIE PETERSON, 74 of Ogallala, passed away Thursday, November 9, 2017, at her home in Ogallala.

Julie was born May 26, 1943, in Columbus, Nebraska to Arthur R. "Bill" and Rose (McGarvey) Litjen. She graduated from Catholic School in Columbus before graduating from St. Mary's College.

Julie moved to the Ogallala area to take a position at the Keith/Arthur County Extension office. On April 15, 1967, Julie married Jay Peterson, and the couple made their home on the Peterson Ranch north of Lake McConaughy. Jay and Julie owned and operated J's Marina for nearly 20 years, where they were widely known to produce some of the finest broasted chicken in the area. While they owned the Marina, Julie went to work as a home economics teacher at Lewellen High School. In 1981, Julie left her teaching position and eventually started handling clothing alterations for Ruthie Morrow at The Four Seasons in downtown Ogallala. In 1987, following the acquisition of the Elna Sewing Machine Dealership rights, along with the fabric interests from Irene's Fabric Shop, she opened her own store, The Silver Thimble. Following the death of her husband in 1991, Julie eventually moved to Ogallala. She continued operating the Silver Thimble until she sold the business in 2016. Most recently, she had been assisting her good friend Jason Krajewski to open the Sew Creative Sewing Center in North Platte.

Julie was famously active and generous with both her time and resources. She was an active member of St. Luke's Catholic Church, where she had served on the parish council, volunteered at St. Luke's School as well as the RCIA program and a host of other efforts that she lovingly supported without a desire for recognition. Julie served as a judge for the quilt show at the Garden County Fair for many years as well. Julie had a servant's heart and touched a lot of people's lives, young and old. She was a prayerful woman with a warm and inviting personality. Her gentle presence will be missed by her loved ones and friends, as well as her church family.

Julie was preceded in death by her husband in 1991; her parents; and her father and mother-in-law, Jack and Marion Peterson.

Survivors include her cousin, Elizabeth Bjorling of Scottsbluff; second cousin, Vince Bjorling, MD of Scottsbluff; sisters-in-law, Jan Haggard of Ogallala, Sandy Peterson of Kearney; close friends, Jason Krajewski of North Platte; Jean (Jerry) Krajewski of Ogallala; Kari Gortemaker of Oshkosh; along with many wonderful friends.

Memorials are suggested to the St. Luke's Catholic School in Julie's memory. Condolences may be shared at prairiehillsfuneralhome.com, where the service will be streamed live for those unable to attend.

Mass of Christian Burial will be on Monday, November 13, 2017, at 10:30 a.m. at the St. Luke's Catholic Church in Ogallala with Father Bryan Ernest as Celebrant.

Memorial book signing will be on Sunday, from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. at the Prairie Hills Funeral Home in Ogallala. A Rosary will be recited at 6 p.m. on Sunday at St. Luke's Catholic Church.

Interment of cremains will be Saturday, May 19, 2018 at 10:00am at the Ogallala Cemetery.Prairie
Hills Funeral Home of Ogallala is in charge of arrangements.