Peterson, Susan O. 1949 - 2017
PETERSON, PRIDEAUX, OLSTAD
Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 8/19/2017 at 14:35:38
Susan O. Peterson, age 68, of Decorah, Iowa, died Tuesday evening, August 8, 2017 at her home in Decorah.
Memorial Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, August 12, 2017 at Congregational United Church of Christ in Decorah with Karen Esterl officiating. A reception will follow in the Congregational Center.
Visitation will be from 6:00-7:30 p.m. Friday evening, August 11 at Congregational United Church of Christ in Decorah.
Sue was born on February 1, 1949, in Sheboygan, Wisconsin; grew up in Manitowoc Wisconsin; married Carl Peterson April 16, 1971; raised three children and one adopted grandson; and died August 8, 2017 from complications from pancreatic cancer. She started feeling ill when DNA results showed she was only 3% Norwegian, instead of 25% that she was told growing up; and her health deteriorated rapidly at the thought of having to live with the current President for 3 ˝ more years.
Throughout her life she was full of love, laughter, and hope, always thinking about others. She had a keen sense of justice and compassion. When she became aware of her cancer, the hardest for her was in seeing the anguish of family and friends struggle with Sue’s pending death, and knowing that she will not get to watch her grandchildren grow up. Her request of us: “Remember me by smiling to a stranger, hugging a friend, laughing from your soul, and helping someone in need.”
Sue was actively involved with the NE Iowa Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Decorah, serving in many capacities; and she volunteered in the Seed Savers library for several years. A private person, Sue preferred to be behind the scenes, quietly supporting community events around town, attending school events, or having special time with her grandchildren. Gardening, grandchildren, and reading were her passions. Special times for her were also meeting with a Mussar study group and a monthly gathering of a close-knit women’s group.
She earned her RN degree from Fairview School of Nursing (Minneapolis), BA from Metropolitan State University (St. Paul), Masters of Counseling from Drake University (Des Moines) (which helped in putting up with her husband), and a computer networking certification in Denver. She also worked as a bookseller and at a homeless shelter. Her career changed based on child-raising times and family moves. Her last and favorite position allowed her to use all of her previous experiences and expertise in her role as administrator of First Universalist Church in Denver, CO.
Sue is survived by her husband, Carl; son Matthew Peterson and daughter-in-law Sofie Prideaux and grandchildren Milo and Kai of Eugene, Oregon; son Rolf and daughter-in-law Laura Peterson and grandchildren Nils, Charles, and Alice of Decorah; daughter Kathryn Peterson of Commerce City, CO; adopted grandson Tobias Peterson; sister Heidi Olstad of Decorah; and brother Keith and sister-in-law Elizabeth Olstad of Minneapolis.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you honor Sue with a donation to Amnesty International, Decorah Backpack Program, Winneshiek Medical Center Hospice, or the NE Iowa Unitarian Universalist Fellowship.
Source: Fjelstul Funeral Home database
Winneshiek Obituaries maintained by Bruce Kuennen.
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