Elke Peterson
Elke I. Peterson, 60, of Grant, Nebraska, died Oct. 11, 2021, at the Perkins County Hospital in Grant. Elke was born Sept. 27, 1961, in Frankfurt, Germany, to Lindol Swofford and Ingeborg (Diehl) Swofford. In January 1963, they moved to Colorado with brother Mark Swofford and sister Liane Clark.
She graduated from high school in Aurora in 1979. She went on to receive master’s degrees in gerontology and administration from UNC and subsequently worked in Arizona at various nursing homes. She loved working with the elderly. When she lived in Lewistown, Montana, she became a certified coder for the mental health facility, volunteered at a Christian bookstore and helped on the Charlie Russell Chew Choo.
On Aug. 21, 2016, Elke married Jonathan Peterson, and the two would make their home in Grant. Elke worked at Perkins County Hospital, Country Supply and the Perkins County Christian School before taking a position at Melissa Memorial Hospital in Holyoke.
Elke’s life journey was such a compelling one for those who got to know her well. She experienced God’s grace and goodness in such a radical way that it transformed her life. Elke was joyful and had a servant’s heart. She had a way of drawing people in and had a keen sense for the wounds of others. In a special way, Elke gave of herself at the Perkins County Food Bank, which she was instrumental in running.
Elke was fluent in German, Spanish and English, which allowed her to foster a special connection and friendship with the Christian community in Imperial, Nebraska.
For Elke, faith in Jesus made all the difference. To encounter the Lord meant true forgiveness, the reality of being unmoored from the shame and fear that comes with our struggle with sinfulness. Sure of the things she hoped for, and certain of what she couldn’t see, the veil was lifted on Oct. 11 to reveal the cause for her joy and deepest longings.
She was preceded in death by her father, Lindol Swofford.
Survivors include her husband, Jon Peterson of Grant; mother, Ingaborg of Marion, North Carolina; sister, Liane Clark and husband Doug of Aurora; brother, Mark Swofford and wife Debbie of Broomfield; stepchildren, Ben Hans Peterson of Portland, Oregon, Nathan Charles Peterson and wife Samantha Lynn of Jefferson City, Missouri, Elizabeth Shizuko Mastre and husband Trent Brian of Grant, Sarah Amelia Ensz and husband Royce Lavern of Grant, and Michelle Arnold-Dennis of Missoula, Montana; grandchildren, Marley K. Peterson, George Luis Rivero, Bronson Robert Peterson, Ahlaynali Kathryn Peterson, Charlotte Taylor Peterson, Lillian Rose Peterson, Ean Cyril Mastre, Alexis Shizuko Mastre, Zoe Lynn Mastre, Ross Brian Mastre, Sienna Sue Ensz, Brielle Jolene Ensz, Johann Darryl Ensz and Andrew Phillip Walter Aamold; along with many other relatives and friends.
A memorial has been established in Elke’s memory for later designation. Condolences may be shared at bullocklongfuneralhome.com.
Memorial services were held Oct. 19 at the Grant E-Free Church, with Pastor Russ Gaar officiating.
Bullock-Long Funeral Home of Grant was in charge of arrangements.