Anastasia (Minnick) Petersen

Anastasia Petersen, aged 85, passed away February 28th, 2023 in Elwood, Nebraska. Anastasia Minnick Petersen was born on September 15th, 1937 to Dr. Clarence Minnick and Ruth Marples Minnick at the Republican Valley Hospital in Cambridge, NE. Annie grew up in the basement of the old Republican Valley Hospital where her parents worked. She always said that the entire town of Cambridge kept an eye on her, and she couldn’t get away with anything! She attended K-12 school in Cambridge and graduated in 1955. She then attended the University of Nebraska at Lincoln where she was a member of Chi Omega Sorority. She graduated from UNL with a degree in teaching in 1959.

Anastasia married her high school sweetheart, Jerry Petersen, on January 9th, 1959 in Nebraska City. They lived one year in Lincoln, then Jerry and Annie returned to Cambridge and moved North of town to the farm. They were blessed with two children, Joel Clarence and Timothy Gerald. Anastasia taught grade school one year in Arapahoe and then taught 5th grade for several years in Cambridge.  In 1970, Annie and her son Tim, both survived an horrific train wreck that caused her to step away from teaching.

Anastasia was very involved in numerous activities and clubs in the Cambridge community. She was PAT president of the 20th Century Women’s Club, Research Club, 60-year member of Chapter BC PEO, and served as a member of the Board of Counselors of the University of Nebraska Medical School. In 2014, Jerry and Annie together planned the 50-foot cross that stands on their land west of Cambridge and sought the expertise from one of their best friends, Herb Besler, to build it and make their dream come true. She was extremely proud of the cross. 

Annie was an intelligent lady, she could complete the Omaha World Herald daily crossword in under an hour, using a ballpoint pen! She also could win almost every game show on television from her La-Z-Boy! 

One of Annie’s favorite hobbies was traveling. She loved to take trips with her family and friends. Along with Jerry, they planned 18 large group bus trips all across the US, Canada, and Mexico for people in Southwest Nebraska. Her favorite trip was going to Las Vegas with Jerry and playing the slot machines. Over the years, she was known to have enjoyed coffee dates (sometimes twice a day) with her girlfriends. She also never missed an activity of her three grandchildren and was an avid sports watcher and Husker fan. 

Annie is survived by her husband of 64 years, Jerry; her son, Tim Petersen of Cambridge; three grandchildren, Frankie & Tobin Reinwald of Lincoln, Gus and Bailey Petersen of Cambridge, and Zane and Aimee Petersen of Cambridge. She also leaves behind five great grandchildren: Porter, Rex, Ace, Murphy, and Ozzy. She is preceded in death by her parents; two half-brothers, John and Jim Minnick; and her son, Joel Petersen. 

Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, March 4, 2023, at 10:30 AM at the Congregational Church in Cambridge with Pastor Susan Harland and Bill Weaver officiating. Interment will be in the Fairview Cemetery of Cambridge. Visitation will be held on Friday, March 4, 2023, from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Family with be present from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM to greet friends. Friends may leave online condolences at lockenour.com. Memorials may be left in her name at Lockenour-Jones Mortuary.

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