Claudetta Peck
Thursday, April 18 at 8:13 p.m., a bright light went out in McCook, Nebraska. After a brief battle with cancer, Claudetta Ann Peck, 81, passed away in her home surrounded by her family.
Claudetta was born to parents, Eddie and Laura E. (Pankonin) Uehling, on Oct. 17, 1937 and is originally from Grant. Claudetta attended school in Grant with her siblings. She later finished her education in McCook.
Claudetta married Herb Peck on March 13, 1955 in Grant at Zion Trinity Lutheran Church. They were the second couple married at this church.
Herb and Claudetta moved to McCook in September of 1960. They had three children, Pennie, Calvin and Peggy. Claudetta began babysitting, where many of the local children ran in and out of her house as if it was their own, including her honorary son Monte Garcia.
Her primary passion was her sewing and ceramic business. Her motto was “I’m not going to buy that; I can make it!” and she did! Claudetta loved crafting of all kinds: painting, sewing, crocheting, woodworking, knitting, cross-stitch, paper crafts and ceramics.
One of her greatest joys was teaching the young and old how to paint ceramics. Each child who came into her shop worried they would not be able to paint and was met with her patience and guiding hands.
Claudetta could always make the children feel comfortable and make them laugh. With the increasing amount of kids, she would soon forget their names and start calling them Fred. Claudetta was an excellent teacher and many of her kids would enter their work into the county fair where they would often win awards.
One of her many talents included creating and sewing wedding and prom dresses. Her home was always filled with tulle, satin and organza. Claudetta’s dresses were sent all over the country and she often received sewing projects in the mail arriving from across the country.
She touched the lives of many with her skills as she was involved in the special occasions of countless people by working on their gowns, dresses, suits and uniforms.
Claudetta was very active in the community and volunteered her time with 4-H, Swats and the Girl Scouts of America. She was also instrumental in the creation of the Mobile Maids, women’s extension group where she was a member for many years. Later, she was active in a community doll club. One of her joys was to create porcelain dolls and to collect various dolls and her collection was…vast…to say the least.
Claudetta was also very active in Our Savior’s Lutheran Church where she often volunteered her time with the accounting and bookkeeping for the church. She created decorations including nativity scenes, figurines and the yearly Easter cross decorations.
Claudetta was preceded in death by her husband Herb, a brother, a sister and her parents. Her family includes three children, 10 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends.
She touched many lives and her legacy lives on through each child she taught to paint, each wedding dress she created from scratch and every patch sewn on the local police, fire department and military uniforms.
Memorials may be given in her name.
Visitation is Wednesday, April 24, 2019 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. CT at Herrmann Jones Funeral Chapel in McCook. The family will be present from 5-7 p.m. CT to greet friends. Words of comfort may be sent to the family at www.herrmannfh.com
Funeral service will be Thursday, April 25, 2019, 2 p.m. CT at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church with Pastor Jeff Donelan officiating. Burial will follow in Riverview Cemetery, McCook.
Herrmann Jones Funeral Chapel of McCook is entrusted with arrangements.