Arnelda Lucille Peterman

In Loving Memory of Arnelda L. “Nellie” Peterman July 11, 1927 – June 25, 2025 CEDAR FALLS – Arnelda L. “Nellie” Peterman, age 97, of Cedar Falls, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, at UnityPoint Allen Hospital in Waterloo, surrounded by her five daughters. Nellie was born on July 11, 1927, in Hampton, Iowa, to George Henry and Wilhelmine Burmester Bergmann. She graduated from Hampton High School and attended Iowa State Teachers College (UNI) for two years. On August 3, 1947, she married the love of her life, Emory L. Peterman, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Hampton. They shared nearly 48 years of marriage before his passing in 1995. Nellie was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. She worked as a bookkeeper for the family business, Peterman and Haes Floor Covering Co. in Waterloo, and was deeply involved in her community. She was an active and longtime member of College Hill Lutheran Church, where her faith and friendships flourished. This is also where she met Emory while washing dishes. She loved playing golf, crafting handmade cards, and gathering around the table for games. As a snowbird, Nellie cherished her winters in Arizona and spent many hours golfing in leagues at Beaver Hills Country Club. She lived independently in her beloved home for 72 years — a true anchor to her family. Nellie also held a special role in the lives of many international students from the University of Northern Iowa. She was affectionately known as an “American Grandma” — offering warmth, wisdom, and a sense of belonging to those far from home. You always knew where you stood with Nellie. She lived with honesty, resilience, and grace — values she instilled in her family through quiet strength, unwavering faith, and steadfast love. Nellie is survived by her five daughters: Carol (Jon) Reese of Cedar Falls, Beverly Andorf of Ames, Patricia (Judd) Hunemuller of Phoenix, Arizona, Nancy (David) Booth of Florence, Mississippi, and JoAnn (Richard) Yeates of West Des Moines. She leaves behind nine grandchildren: Erica Andorf, Carson Andorf (Destri), Erin Getskow (Josh), Cari Clark (Adam), Jared Hunemuller, Samuel Booth, Emory Booth (Savannah), Matthew Yeates (Kaitlyn), and Megan Yeates (Jacob); nine great-grandchildren: Blayke Coleman (Draven), Marcus Coleman (Briona), Carissa Andorf, Caelyn Andorf, Hazel Getskow, Charlotte Getskow, Benjamin Getskow, Abigail Clark, and Drew Clark; and two great-great-grandchildren: Quincy McPeak and Iylah McPeak. She also had numerous special nieces and nephews, all of whom held a meaningful place in her heart. Nellie was preceded in death by her husband Emory; her parents; her sister, Alma Freie; her brothers, Donald and Marvin Bergmann; and her son-in-law, Michael Andorf. A celebration of Nellie’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, June 30, 2025, at College Hill Lutheran Church in Cedar Falls. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. at the church prior to the service. A luncheon will follow, with interment to take place afterward at Greenwood Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to College Hill Lutheran Church. Condolences and memories may be shared online at: www.richardsonfuneralservice.com (http://www.richardsonfuneralservice.com/).

Arnelda Lucille Peterman

July 11, 1927 - June 25, 2025