Former Sutton resident Doris LaVerne (Peterson) Gowen, 95, passed away peacefully Monday, Nov. 18, 2024, at Old Mill Rehabilitation in Omaha. Funeral services were conducted at 10:30 a.m., Friday, Nov. 22, 2024, at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Sutton, with Rev. Tim Stacy officiating. Graveside services were at 2 p.m., Friday, at Stockholm Lutheran Cemetery in rural Shickley. Memorial contributions may be directed to the family to be designated later. Condolences may be left at www. suttonmemorial.com. Doris was born Nov. 11, 1929, to Clinton and Irene (Alfs) Peterson at Ong. She was the oldest of three girls. She was baptized, confirmed and married in Gethsemane Lutheran Church in Ong.

She started school in District #39 rural school west of Saronville and then attended the last six grades at Sodtown School District #50 near Shickley. She graduated from Geneva High School and attended Hastings College for one year to receive her teaching certificate to teach rural school. She taught rural school for five years in Fillmore and Clay County.

On May 26, 1951, she married Gordon Gowen. To this union were born five children, Kathy, Keith, Karen, Kim, and Kolleen.

She taught Sunday School for many years in Gethsemane and Zion Lutheran Churches. She was a member of the choir and organist for many years. She was also a member and held several offices in the W.E.L.C.A. church group and was a member of the Sutton Garden Club and the Sutton American Legion Auxiliary. Her favorite activities were sewing and hand work and volunteering at the Sutton Community Home.

She is survived by her two daughters, Kathy Berkshire of Ralston, and Kolleen (Greg) Whaley of Papillion; daughter-inlaw, Wanda (Mike) Kracl of O’Neill; and son-in-law, Mark (Judy) Butler of Holdredge; 13 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren and many other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Gordon; three children, Keith Gowen; Karen Butler; and Kim Wilson; parents, Clinton and Irene; sisters and brothers-in-law, Bonnie and Ben Nelson and Shirley and John Powell.