PETERSON, Esther (Traaen) 1920-1999

ONSGARD, TRAAEN, PETERSON, DAVIE, MILLER, RASMUSSEN

Posted By: IA GenWeb Volunteer
Date: 9/21/2010 at 20:30:30

Decorah Journal, Thursday, August 5, 1999

Esther Peterson

Esther Peterson, 79, of Decorah, died Friday, July 30, 1999, at the Green Lea Manor in Mabel, Minn., after a short illness.

Funeral services were held Tuesday, Aug. 3, at 11 a.m., at Canoe Ridge Lutheran Church, with the Rev. Susan Debner officiating.

Kathryn Bigler was the organist. Soloist Robert Peterson sang "It Is No Secret What God Can Do." The congregation sang "Amazing Grace," "Here I Am, Lord" and "How Great Thou Art."

Casket bearers were Michael Snitker, Michelle Bolhuis, Gregory Giardina, Rodney Miller, Nels Rasmussen, Mark Snitker, Donelle Davie, Deanna Giardina, Daniel Miller and Eric Rasmussen. Honorary bearers were all of Esther's many friends.

Committal was at the Canoe Ridge Cemetery. The French & Balik Funeral Home handled arrangements.

Annet Esther Bernice (Traaen) Peterson was born June 24, 1920, in Spring Grove, Minn., the fifth child of Annie Gurina (Onsgard) and Edward Knute Traaen.

She attended Kjome School in Highland Township of Winneshiek County through the 8th grade and attended Spring Grove High School for three years.

Esther married Edward Peterson Nov. 25, 1939, at the Locust parsonage in Locust. They had six children.

Esther and Edward began their married life farming in Minnesota. In 1949, they moved to Iowa, living in several locations.

They were members of Canoe Ridge Lutheran Church and attended there until moving to Highlandville in 1967. Although living close to and attending Big Canoe Lutheran, they remained members of Canoe Ridge church.

On Nov. 25, 1990, Edward died. Esther lived in Highlandville until March of 1992, when she moved to Franciscan Skemp senior housing in Decorah. On June 11, she moved to Green Lea Manor in Mabel, Minn., due to failing health caused by the cancer she had been fighting since 1993.

Esther enjoyed socializing with her family and friends, having coffee with a cookie, doing crossword puzzles, embroidering, writing letters, taking pictures, dancing, and playing the piano and singing. Although she never had piano lessons, she learned to play by ear and entertained at many gatherings.

She also enjoyed animals, especially dogs. Her family and friends will long, remember her for her kindness, generosity, and easy-going, caring and thoughtful manner.

Survivors include four daughters, Betty Ann Davie of Decorah, Lois Jean Peterson of Colorado Springs, Colo., Arlene and Dennis Miller of Hokah, Minn., and Donna Sue and Rick Rasmussen of Hesper; and one son, Douglas Blayne Peterson and Debra Becker of Hokah, Minn.

There are 10 grandchildren, Michael Snitker, Michelle and Eric Bolhuis, Mark Snitker and friend Lynn Haedtke, Donelle Davie, Gregory Giardina and fiancee Lenore Carpenter, Deanna Giardina, Rodney and Tammy (Beach) Miller, Daniel Miller, Nels Rasmussen and Eric Rasmussen.

Also surviving are two sisters-in-law, Berthana Traaen and Florence Peterson.

Esther Peterson was preceded in death by her husband, Edward, who died Nov. 25, 1990; one son, Allen Edward, who died March 4, 1954; and four brothers, Kenneth, Myron, Ernest and George, who died as an infant.

Transcribed by an IA GenWeb Volunteer from obituaries found in the Howard-Winneshiek Genealogy Society Library, Cresco, Iowa.