Martha Jane Peterson

Martha Jane Peterson, 76, of Silvis, Illinois, passed away on July 15, 2024, at home surrounded by her family. Martha was born on October 19, 1947, to her parents, C. Marlan and T. Florence (Thompson) Jamison, in rural East Moline, Illinois. She was the youngest daughter of five children and was preceded in death by her sister Bronzella “Bunnie” Sandberg, and brothers, Jan Jamison, and Robert “Bob” Jamison. Her older sister, Linda Donis of Moline, Illinois, survives her. Martha was an energetic, hard-working, and fun-loving girl who spent her childhood delivering newspapers all over the countryside and playing with her friends, including Elinor McKaye, Caroline Parker, and Suzanne “Suzie” Rogers. Eventually, Martha married Suzie’s brother, Willard Peterson, Jr. on February 1, 1969.

Martha and Willard lived several years on Campbell’s Island and gave birth to three children, Elizabeth in 1971, Amanda in 1973, and Andrew in 1977. In 1980, the family moved to Silvis, Illinois, where Martha lived for 44 years until her recent passing. 

Martha loved her home. After her husband Willard died of cancer in 1996, Martha worked hard with a goal to remodel her home to fit her dream. In 2010, Martha fully retired from her two jobs. For 24 years, she was a full-time Dietary Aide at Oak Glen Nursing Home/Hope Creek and for 10+ years worked part-time as a janitor for several local businesses. Martha welcomed retirement and enjoyed spending her time focused on her home. In 2023, Martha proudly finished her upstairs master suite, her final and most desired remodel achievement. 

Martha could not have finished her remodels without help from family, her nephew Robert “Robbie” Jamison, and her long-time companion, Terry Frye. Terry and Martha were a loving couple until Terry’s passing in 2020. Terry was adventurous and pushed Martha to leave her cozy home to see more of the world. They traveled all over the country from coast-to-coast and loved to attend estate sales, flea markets, and auctions. Martha enjoyed collecting unique garden art especially.

Gardening was one of Martha’s passions and she transformed her double lot over the years into a peaceful flower garden, filled with her favorite roses and perennials. She had a knack for repurposing her flea-market treasures into garden art and loved to plant flowers in the most unique containers. She was a long-time member of the Silvis Garden Club and even featured her garden in the annual Garden Walk. 

Martha is survived by her sister Linda Donis of Moline, IL, her daughter, Amanda (Chad) of Silvis, IL, and son Andrew (April) of Moline, IL. She will be missed by her little dog, Anna, her five grandchildren Lauren Forslund (Moline, IL), James Forslund (Rock Island, IL), Logan Peterson (Rock Island, IL), Colin Peterson (Moline, IL), and Ethan Haynes (Golden, CO), as well as her extended family and friends. Martha was predeceased by her husband, parents, sister, brothers, and her daughter Elizabeth “Liz” Haynes. 

Martha will be laid to rest with her husband at Rock Island National Cemetery. She did not wish for a funeral so in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the family or to QC Paws on behalf of her little dog Anna.