Mary M. Petersen, 83, of Waterloo, Iowa, died at the Hampton Health Care Center in Hampton, Iowa, on Saturday, October 11, 2008, of natural causes.

Mary Marcella was born December 18, 1924, in Waterloo, daughter of Golding and Louise Hunemiller Olds.

She married Donald Petersen in 1946 in Atchison, Kansas. He died October 18, 1983.

Through the years, Mary had worked at Waterloo Tent and Awning, Rath Packing Co., Chamberlain Mfg. Co., and John Deere.

She was a member of First Lutheran Church in Waterloo. Mary also was a senior companion for many years.

Mary is survived by son Gerald “Pete” and his wife Jeanie of Denver, Iowa; five grandchildren; thirteen great grandchildren; brother Marvin Olds and his wife Virginia of Waterloo; brother Max Olds and his wife Sophie of San Diego, California; and sister-in-law Margaret Olds of McAllen, Texas.

She is preceded in death by her husband; brothers: Merrill, Marlus, Milton, and Myron Olds; sisters: Marjorie Olds, Maxine Brandes, Myrtle Hickman, and Marguerite Coffee; and three children in infancy.