Lucyanna Peterson ^{2 3}

Mrs. Oliver (Lucyanna) Hitch, 82, Green Bay, died peacefully in her home surrounded by her family, Friday, January 14, 2005. She was born July 7, 1922 in Rochester, Indiana to the late Boyd and Eleanora (Hanson) Peterson. She had many fond memories growing up on a rural farm with her three sisters and belonging to 4-H. Lucyanna attended Butler University from 1940-1941 where she was Freshman Rose Queen and graduated from Indiana University School of Nursing in1944 with her RN degree. On May 16, 1943, she married Oliver M. Hitch; he preceded her in death on April 3, 2002. She was a member of Union Congregational Church since 1948, where she was president of the Women's Fellowship from 1965-1967 and First Woman Moderator from 1984 to 1986. Lucyanna was a present member of AAUW; League of Women's Voters; Brown County Medical Auxiliary; Mayor's Committee for a Cleaner and More Beautiful Green Bay, Award Committee chairman; Bellin College of Nursing, first board president and endowment campaign co-chairman in 1995; Antiquarian Society; P.E.O., state convention chairman in 1961 and president for two years; and Salvation Army as a bell ringer. Other organizations to which she belonged were Service League of Green Bay, president for two years; Girl Scout leader; Cub Scout Den Mother; Family Service Association, president; Green Bay Day Nursery, board of directors and president for one term; Admiral Flatley Memorial Park Committee, treasurer; Brown County Unified Board, Drug and Alcohol Abuse Program and secretary for two years; Bank One, serving as the first woman on the board of directors; Bellin Memorial Hospital, first woman on the board of directors and Foundation Committee; Bellin College of Nursing, first board president and Endowment Campaign co-chairman; Heritage Hill State Park Foundation, board of directors, Foundation vice president, and Foundation president; Church Women United, president; Jewish Centennial Celebration Committee; Hospice Advisory Committee; Church and Christian Medical Society Missions, nursing services in Honduras, Dominican Republic, and India; and Fort Howard Foundation Humanitarian Awards Committee, chairman. Lucyanna was awarded the B'nai Brith Brotherhood Award in 1963; Zonta Award for Community Service, 1993; profiled in 1994 AAUW Women of Northeastern Wisconsin, Dreamers and Doers book; Bellin College of Nursing Lucyanna Hitch Award for Excellence (first recipient), 1994; Honorary BSN degree, Bellin College, 1995; Mayor's Lifetime Leadership Award, 2000; Mayor's Civic Award, 2001; Encompass Day Care Award, 2004; and Historical Society Local History Award, 2004. Since moving to Green Bay in 1948, Lucyanna developed a deep affection for her community. She enriched her life by learning and enjoyed traveling, birdwatching, reading and studying great works in literature, Bible Study, taking care of her grandchildren, entertaining and identifying wildflowers while walking the trail. Most of all, Lucyanna was a totally devoted wife and mother. She will be sadly missed by the countless people whose lives she touched. Survivors include two sons and daughters-in-law, Peter and Sue Hitch, Newport Beach, CA; and Dr. Bill and Mary Ann Hitch, Green Bay; one daughter and son-in-law, Engrid and Jack Meng, DePere; nine grandchildren, Molly (Keith) Veneziano, Katie (John) Cacace, Preston (Adriana) Meng, Spencer Meng, Katherine Hitch, Alex Hitch, Nick Hitch, Greg Hitch, and Annemarie Hitch; one great grandson, Evan, and another great grandchild expected in May; three sisters, Lorene Rauschke, Selena Thacker, and Fritzie (Robert) Brown; and four sisters-in-law, Shirley Hitch, Alice Marie (Ross), Libby (Dr. Frank Turber), and Karin (Dr. John Diekmann); nieces, nephews, other relatives, and many friends. She was preceded in death by four brothers-in-law, Charles Rauschke, Milton Thacker, Bill Hitch, and Scotty Marshall. Friends may call from 3 - 7 PM Sunday, January 16, 2005 at Union Congregational Church, 716 South Madison, Green Bay. Visitation continues from 1 - 3:30 PM Monday at the church where funeral services will be held at 4 PM with the Rev. Dr. Charles Mize officiating. Lyndahl Funeral Home is assisting the family. In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, memorials may be given to Bellin College of Nursing or Heritage Hill Foundation.

Lucyanna married Dr. Oliver (Ollie) Myers Hitch, son of Oliver Morton (Mort) Hitch and Frances Ross Myers, on 16 May 1943.¹ (Dr. Oliver (Ollie) Myers Hitch was born on 08 Aug 1916 in Gibson Co., IN ^{5 6 7} and died on 03 Apr 2002.)