Willa Jean (Peters) Rottman

Willa Jean (Peters) Rottman was born to William Henry and Elda (Gottula) Peters on August 12, 1923 at the farm home near Elk Creek, Nebraska.  She was baptized September 2, 1923 by Pastor H.F. Grupe and confirmed March 21, 1937 by Rev. Enno Schuelke at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church.  Her baptismal sponsors were her grandmothers, Wilhelmine Peters and Emma Gottula.  Willa Jean attended six years at rural school, District #59 and two years at St. Peter’s Parochial School.  She then attended Elk Creek High School and graduated with the class of 1942.  Following graduation, Willa Jean worked in bomber plants in Torrance, California, Omaha, Nebraska and St. Louis, Missouri.  At the close of the war, she worked in a sewing factory at Peru, Nebraska.

Willa Jean was united in marriage to Harry F. Rottman on August 29, 1946 at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church by Rev. W. G. Nau in a double wedding ceremony with her sister Donna Belle who married Paul Jeffery.  Following her marriage, Willa Jean moved with Harry to a series of job assignments for the Roberts Construction Company at Tecumseh, Stella, Syracuse and Crofton, NE.  After her husband’s diagnosis of multiple sclerosis, they moved to Pawnee City and later moved to Elk Creek.  They eventually settled in Humboldt in June of 1953, where Willa Jean joined Harry in the work of the insurance agency which they owned through June of 1975. 

Willa Jean was a member of the Legion Auxiliary, the VFW Auxiliary Post #1765 and life-long member of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church.  She faithfully read her Bible daily and continued in prayer her entire life.  Her husband Harry passed away March 27, 2011.  When Willa Jean’s health declined, she moved to the Assisted Living in Humboldt, later transferring to Colonial Acres Nursing Home.  She went to be with her Lord and Savior on Wednesday, April 14, 2021 at the age of 97 years, 8 months and 2 days. 

She is survived by her brother Royce Peters and wife Sheila of Elk Creek and sister Diane Grabow and husband Richard “Dick” of Cedar, MN, sister-in-law, Juanita Peters of Elk Creek and many nieces and nephews.

Willa Jean was preceded in death by her parents, husband Harry, sisters and brothers-in-law, Donna Belle and Paul Jeffery and Betty and Glen Lippold, infant brother, Roger, brother LeRoy Peters and nephew Craig Peters.  

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 21, 2021, at the St. Peter's Lutheran Church, rural Elk Creek, Nebraska with Rev. Bill Cornelius officiating.  

Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday,  April 20, 2021, at the Wherry Mortuary, 207 N. Nemaha Street in Humboldt, Nebraska.  Family will greet friends from 6-8 p.m.

Memorials contributions may be given to the St. Peter's Lutheran Church, rural Elk Creek, Nebraska.  

Interment will be in the St. Peter's Lutheran Cemetery, rural Elk Creek, Nebraska. 

Condolences may be shared online @ www.wherrymortuary.com.

Services entrusted to Wherry Mortuary-207 N. Nemaha Street-Humboldt, Nebraska 68376 (402) 862-2915

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Willa Jean (Peters) Rottman, please visit our floral store.