Katherina Peterson

Katherina Peterson
Katherina Lehmann Peterson was born April 21, 1928 in a picturesque village in Hungary, survived a brutal war and forced resettlement, met an American soldier, and came to the United States to raise her family. She passed away on April 27, 2017 in Derby, a few days after her 89th birthday. She grew up on the family farm in Baranyajeno where together with her parents and grandparents they grew, raised, made and bartered for virtually everything they needed to live. Her life started to change after her father Peter was conscripted, sent to the Eastern Front, and never returned, with no word of his fate. Soon after the war came to her village, and she and her mother Elizabeth had to hide from the advancing Red Army. Peacetime brought even greater upheaval when her family along with 12 million other ethnic Germans were sent to Germany, a land she had never seen. One day while walking down the street in her new home of Ellwangen, she was greeted by Private William Peterson trying out his German language skills. Although she had no idea of what he was trying to say that first day, he persisted and eventually they fell in love and married. This resulted in the second great move of her life, to Derby. Katherina became a mother, learned English, and taught herself to drive in short order. After her children became established at school, she work variously at Lerner's, Chromium Process and Hershey Metal Products, where she made many good friends. In retirement she enjoyed gardening and being a loving "Oma" to her grandchildren. After 56 years of marriage she grieved terribly upon the passing of her husband Bill. She went on to become a fixture at the knitting and yoga groups at the Shelton Senior Center, and various lunch establishments around town. Age eventually caught up with her, and she left her house for the nursing home just before Easter. Katherina is survived by her son and daughter-in-law Peter and Jennifer Peterson, her daughter and son-in-law Kristine and Richard Diana and her grandchildren Emily and Alex Romano, Jordan Diana, Captain Daniel Peterson USMC, and Colby Diana. Friends may call on Monday from 9:00 - 10:30 a.m. at the Edward F. Adzima Funeral Home, 253 Elizabeth St., Derby. Her funeral procession will leave the funeral home at 10:30 a.m. for her Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary Church. Her burial will follow at Mt. St. Peter Cemetery. Friends may leave condolences at www.adzimafh.com.