Velma "Pete" Hlif Peterson Nuckols

Velma “Pete” Hlif Nuckols, age 84 of Hamilton, passed away on Friday, November 8, 2013 at Hospice of Hamilton. She was born on January 15, 1929 in Hensel, ND, the daughter of the late Johann “Joe” and Hlif Elin (Sigurdsson) Peterson. On September 17, 1955 in Cavalier, ND, Pete married her husband of over 43 years, Seth Ford Nuckols, who preceded her in death on April 25, 1999. She completed her RN training in Grand Forks, ND and Nurse Anesthetist training at Ravenswood Hospital in Chicago, IL. Pete went on to work as an Anesthetist in Medford, OR; Glasgow, KY; and then at Ft. Hamilton Hospital in Hamilton for over 30 years, retiring in 1991. She was a beloved mother, grandmother, sister and aunt. Pete is survived by her daughters, Mary Jo (Eric) Bailey, Ellen (Jim) Denney and Kristina Brenner; grandsons, Matthew and Joseph Brenner and Josiah Bailey; sister, Linda (Nassos) Lazaridis; and nieces, Christy (Matt) Molumby and Laura (Matt) Mikels. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; and step-mother, Christine Peterson.

“Pete,” as she was known to her friends, was “one of a kind.” She was a “tell it like it is” gal with a heart of gold. Spending time with her family brought her so much joy, as did going to movies, concerts, and the theater, playing Bonco, and just chatting over coffee with her dear friends. She loved watching sports and was an avid reader. If you were ever looking especially for a good suspense novel to read, you could always find one in "Pete's Library!" We all loved, respected, and admired Pete. We will never forget her good and kind heart, her sense of humor, her wonderfully contagious laugh, and the fact that she never knew a stranger. We will never forget her listening ear, her wisdom, her practicality, and her strength. She showed us that it is more important to live your faith than it is to just talk about it. She showed us what it is to love unconditionally. She was God’s precious gift to us. We love her and will miss her beyond what mere words could express, but she will always be a part of us, as we carry her lovingly in our hearts…always.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, November 17, 2013 from 2pm till 4pm at the Courtyard by Marriott, 1 Riverfront Plaza, Hamilton, OH 45011. (No gloomy black attire, please.) A private family service will take place earlier on Sunday at Spring Grove Cemetery. The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Open Door Food Pantry, 800 S. Front Street, Hamilton, OH 45011, Hospice of Hamilton, 1010 Eaton Avenue, Hamilton, OH 45013 or Borg Pioneer Memorial Home, 61 Borg Drive, Mountain, ND 58262.