Lola Mae Peterson

Mrs. Lola Mae Peterson, age 83, of Adair, IA, passed away on Sunday, August 09, 2026, at Guthrie County Hospital in Guthrie Center, Iowa.

Lola Mae Barber entered the world on May 31, 1943, and was the third child born to Paul and Lois Eveline Dorsey Barber on the family farm north of Anita. She attended country school Grant #2 through the eighth grade and graduated Anita High School in 1961. Lola was baptized and confirmed to the Anita United Methodist Church and later had her membership transferred to the Adair United Methodist Church.

While waiting tables at Elizabeth’s Cafe in Anita, Lola met the love of her life, Walter (Bud) Peterson, who was driving a Redimix truck when Interstate 80 was being paved in 1959. They married on May 31, 1961, and farmed a couple of years in Woodbine before purchasing their present farm northeast of Adair. Four children were born to this union, Cindy, Dennis, Darin, and Darryl.

Lola loved being a farm wife, mother, and homemaker. She worked alongside Bud with the fieldwork, chores, walking beans, and milking. She was also busy, sewing clothes for the family, curtains, and gardening. She truly loved her flower gardens. Lola was a wonderful cook and baker. If she knew visitors were on their way, a big meal and dessert would be made. She served as a substitute cook for the meal site in Adair for 31 years. Lola held many offices in the Adair UMC and was the Adair UMW President for 11 years.

In early years the family did a lot of boating and waterskiing with close friends during summer months. Walking beans, cutting thistles, and picking up rocks was also a “forced family fun activity” we enjoyed, for most part. During the winter, you could find the family snowmobiling and sledding with close friends.

Lola was always up for playing a game or two of cards. She taught grandkids and great-grandkids many different card games. Lola enjoyed playing cards with a group of friends in Anita and at the Adair Library. Lola’s children, grandkids and great-grandkids were her pride and joy. She loved attending their sporting events and music concerts.

Preceding Lola in death are her husband Bud, her parents, brothers Rex and Larry, sister Ruth, daughter-in-law LouAnn, and other close family members.

Those left behind to carry on Lola’s independence, kindness and will miss her dearly are her children: Cindy (Gary) Lundy, Dennis (Stacey) Peterson, Darin (Patty) Peterson and Darryl (Ally) Peterson. Eleven grandchildren: Sara Young, Shannon (James) Paup, Erika (Matt) Woolfolk, Kimberly (Beau) Reha, Joseph (Holly) Peterson, Breanna (Matt) Peterson, Chris Bauer, Calin Peterson, Damian (Jake) Zika, Tanner and Sadie Peterson. Lola was blessed with 14 great-grandchildren: Shyann, Sophie, Ella, Jase, Emersyn, Lane, Clara, Gentry, EmmaLou, Brock, Emily, Jacob, Maverick and Lainy. She is also survived by her sister Norma, brother in-laws Dale and Tim, nieces, nephews and many other relatives and close friends.

Visitation with the family will be held from 2:00 p.m., to 4:00 p.m., with Memorial Service at 4:00 p.m., on Saturday, September 19, 2026, at the Adair Methodist Church in Adair, IA.

Memorials may be directed to the Lola Peterson Family, to be designated at a later date in her memory. They may be mailed to the Schmidt Family Funeral Home P.O. Box 523, Atlantic, IA 50022.

Services are entrusted to the Schmidt Family Funeral Home of Adair.