Gladiolus, Peonies help keep Kathryn Pehrson smiling
— Diana Badley
Laurel Advocate
LAUREL — “I see trees of green, red roses too. I see them bloom for me and you.” Louis Armstrong’s rich, gravelly voice continues to project from a corner jukebox, “and I think to myself, what a wonderful world.”
Those lyrics were perhaps just as ironic when they were penned during the Vietnam War as they are today.
The listeners during that era were probably just as apprehensive to believe the world was wonderful then as they are today.
However, in this small town of Laurel, Nebraska, one doesn’t have to look too far to see trees of green or red roses. In fact, the backyard of one of Laurel’s most seasoned citizens is a slice of this wonderful world.
Kathryn Pehrson, who turned 101 in July, has always loved flowers and that love has manifested into a beautiful flower garden for many years.
Her flower garden has been bringing life, color, and hope to an otherwise weary and dreary world for years, and in Laurel proper specifically since 1980 when she and her husband, Stanley, moved to town off the farm.
She has a variety of annuals and each year she fills with bedding plants and seeds.
“Deb Bearnes and I make several trips to pick out seeds and plants to add to my garden. I like a variety and Deb helps me. As far as everything else goes, I don’t do anything special, just water them every day. My favorite ones are the Gladiolus. They don’t have a fragrance but they are so beautiful.”
Pehrson smiles as she mentions her favorite flowers. A non-exhaustive list of the flowers in her garden includes: Peonies, Violas, Gladiolus, Vinca, Zinnas, Indian Blanket, Black eyed Susans Flox, Balsam, Alyssum, Marigolds, Menarda, Purple Cone flowers, Geraniums, Salvia, Balloon Flower, Larkspur, Lilies, Petunias, Bachelor Buttons, Poppies, Iris, Clematis, and Daisies.
Her flower garden has kept her entertained, especially since her eyesight has fallen to macular degeneration and she no longer can see well enough to enjoy reading or watching tv. Instead, she spends hours working in the flowers and flower beds.
One of Pehrson’s daughters, Becky Fritz, has many memories of her mom’s garden. “She always had flowers and a vegetable garden as a farm wife. She continued having a vegetable garden in the field even after moving to town. She and dad would spend evenings working in the garden.”
Spend some time in Kathryn’s flower yard and the music will flow right through you. “I think to myself, What a wonderful world. Oh yeah.”
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