Carla Due

October 2, 1913 - June 16, 2013

Funeral services for Carla were held on Thursday, June 20, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Cordova. Pastor Brenda Pfeifly officiated the service. Graveside services were in the Zastrow Cemetery. Memorials are directed to the Trinity Lutheran Church of the Exeter Senior Center. Karla Pederson was born on October 2, 1913 in Balle, Jutland, Denmark to Jens Karl and Ane M. (Bidstrup) Pederson. She died on June 16, 2013 at the Exeter Care Center in Exeter, Nebraska at the age of 99 years, 8 months, and 15 days. Christened Karla Pederson, she lived with her paternal grandmother, Karen Marie Pederson in Bjedstrup, Jutland, Denmark. Both parents had come to American to make a better life. Karla came to the United States through Ellis Island in 1929 when she was 16 years old. Her father insisted that Karla change the spelling of her name to Americanize both her first and family names – so it became Carla Peterson. She arrived in Sawyer, Nebraska, south of Exeter where her father worked for the railroad. In 1930, the family moved by the Blue River. Not speaking English, she attended School District #7. She always said she learned more by listening to the kindergarteners with their phonics in learning to speak English. She passed the 8th grade exam learning a lot about U.S. History and Nebraska. Carla met Bernard Due at a platform dance. They married on June 3, 1934 and wen to live on the family farm north of Exeter. Two sons were born to them, Don & Dean. They moved to Exeter as Bernard’s health deteriorated. Carla entered Exeter Care Center on October 29, 2005. Carla loved to dance, and she and Bernard went to several area ballrooms. Carla liked to bake and her Danish pastry was the best. She made several of her favorite Danish foods for family and friends, especially the Ebleskiver. Carla also enjoyed her vegetable and flower gardens, reading, playing cards and entertaining. She was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church, taught Sunday school, and was a member of the Cheeralot Club and Exeter Women’s Club. Carla was preceded in death by her husband, Bernard; parents Karl & Ane; brothers Emil, Jewel, and Dale Peterson; and granddaughter Darcee Due. She is survived by her sons and daughters-in-law Don & Katherine Due and Dean & Kathy Due all of Exeter; grandchildren Jeff Due, Heather & Delayne Eberspacher of Cordova, Valerie Due & Chris Brewster of San Diego, CA, Jim Due of Exeter, and Bob & Ranae Due of Lincoln, NE; great grandchildren Abby and Spencer Eberspacher of Cordova, Jillian & Danica Due of Lincoln; brother Clifford and wife Joan Peterson of York; sister-in-law Ardys Tesar of Aurora; and by nieces and nephews.