Geraldine Schutz Peterson, age 95, of Laurens, passed away on Wednesday, November 8, 2023, at the Pocahontas Community Hospital in Pocahontas, Iowa.

Geraldine Henderson was born on June 1, 1928, at home near Havelock, Iowa. She was the daughter of Gerald and Mildred Irene (Claassen) Henderson. Her family lived on a farm near Havelock where she went to country school her first five years. They then moved to a farm northwest of Plover. She finished her education at Plover High School with a class of 7 girls in 1945. She worked at Donnelly Corp in Nevada, Iowa until 1946 and R.E.A in Pocahontas until 1948. She then served in the Pocahontas County Auditor's office as a clerk then as Deputy Auditor. On September 7, 1956, Geraldine was united in marriage to Lowell Schutz. To this union 4 children were born, Barry, Steven, Karen and Ricky. They lived in Mallard until 1970, when they moved to Havelock where they owned and operated Schutz Grocery until March of 1975. Lowell passed away on July 12, 1975, due to heart problems. Geraldine then worked in the Pocahontas County Magistrate Court for several years. On November 27, 1977, Geraldine was united in marriage to Tony R. Peterson of Sioux Rapids. Geraldine and her children joined Tony on his farm located between Marathon and Sioux Rapids. She enjoyed the farm lifestyle and working alongside Tony in their farming operation. Tony had a stroke in 1989 and they were forced to retire. Geraldine cared for Tony at home for 16 years before he entered the care center in Laurens in 2005. She spent much time with him at the care center until he passed away in 2009.

Geraldine was a member of the Laurens United Methodist Church, the U.M.W. and was a past member of the Havelock AmVets Auxiliary, holding the office of Sec.-Treas. Her hobbies were the farm, baking and decorating cakes for birthdays, anniversaries, and wedding receptions. Also crocheting, having made many doilies, and she loved to embroider and counter-cross stitch. Geraldine also enjoyed woodworking, playing cards, puzzles, and bingo. She and Tony loved to dance and spent many Sunday evenings at the DMT Ballroom.

Geraldine loved her family, loved being a grandma and great-grandma and sharing in all their activities. They were the highlights of her life along with her little dog Katie, kitten Penny and her outside cats, Bud and Fritz.

Survivors include her children; Barry Schutz of Havelock, Steve Schutz of Laurens, Karen (Chuck) Vader of Havelock and Rick (Janell) Schutz of Litchfield, MN; grandsons, Brandon (Elizabeth) Vader, Brody Vader (Katie Hamre), Zach (Amanda) Vader, Dylan Schutz and Ryan Schutz; 7 great grandchildren, Nash, Nolan, Oaken, Karlee, Paisley, Hadley and Lacey; step-children, Alice (Richard) Svoboda of Owatonna, MN; Jane (David) Beckstrom of South St. Paul, MN; Keith Peterson of Willits, CA and Karen Dalley of Alta; 3 step-grandchildren, Eric Beckstrom, Heidi Beckstrom and Joe Svoboda; brother, Gaylord Henderson of Havelock and a sister, Donna Sorenson of Tipton.

Geraldine was preceded in death by her parents; husbands, Lowell Schutz and Tony Peterson; brothers, Dennis and Warren Henderson and daughter-in-law, Betty Schutz.