Ella Louise Baucom Petersen

Her dad nicknamed her Elouise, but her husband liked to call her Ella. Ella had one older brother, Roy, and grew up in Pratt and graduated from Pratt High School. She played the Double Bass Fiddle which was bigger than she was and was spunky and a real go getter. With her father away from home working on the railroad, Ella was a big help to her mother. She learned very young how to care for a home and she had exceptional cleaning skills.

Being a hard worker and ambitious girl, she lied about her age and got her first job with the Telephone Company as an operator at the tender age of 15. She later retired from Southwestern Bell after 42 years of dedicated service.

She married Anton “Pete” Petersen on April 2, 1952 in a small ceremony in front of family and friends at her family home. On April 2, 2014 they celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary together. Ella and Pete had 3 children, Diana "Lynn" who died at birth, Deborah Kay and David Lance. She was a member of the Eastern Star in Fort Worth and the First Christian Church in Pratt.

Ella loved her family and spent many happy hours with them. Ella kept the cleanest house in town. She was even known to scrub the outside trash cans once a week. Late at night when she came home from her shift, you could find her ironing laundry for a couple of hours, as Ella kept everything ironed including the sheets and Dad's handkerchiefs.

She was dedicated to her children and supported every school and sports function. She went on all of the family vacations and camping trips to Colorado without complaint, even though she really just wanted to go to the coast and lay out on the beach to sunbath. She was a great sport and loved to laugh.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Pete on April 18, 2014; her baby daughter, Diana Lynn; and her parents, Joe and Mabel; as well as her brother Roy.

She is survived by her daughter, Deborah Helt; son, David Petersen and his wife Deena; and grandchildren, Trevor Petersen, Amanda Whittier and her husband Chase, Trent Helt, Seth Petersen, Meghan Helt and Taylor Petersen.

Condolences may be offered at www.gipsonfuneralhome.com

Services have been placed in the trust of Gipson Funeral Home.