Thelma I. Peterson

Thelma Peterson passed away peacefully on May 28, 2005, at MeritCare Hospital in Fargo, ND, surrounded by loved ones.Thelma was born near Hawley, MN on September 27, 1924. She was one of 13 children born to Gust and Martina Grefsrud. While working at Fargo's Gardiner Hotel in 1947, she met and married Norman Leroy Peterson of Arnegard, ND.Thelma and Norman lived in Bismarck, ND from 1956 to 1982. They were active in the Lutheran Church of the Cross, the Sons of Norway, and other community organizations. While in Bismarck they raised 4 children and made many wonderful friends.In 1982 Thelma and Norman moved to Minnesota to live on the shore of Lake Ida, only a few miles from Thelma's birthplace and close to many of her relatives and friends. They joined the Cormorant Lutheran Church and participated in numerous community activities. Besides her friends, family, and community activities, Thelma enjoyed gardening, bird watching, and frying up the fish her kids and grandkids caught every summer.Thelma was preceded in death by her husband Norman and recently her sister Mamie Grefsrud Peterson. She is survived by her four children: Linda Joy Peterson Paul Fitzgerald of Seattle, WA; Norman Clyde Peterson Mary Woodmansee of Helena, MT; Douglas Wayne Peterson of Rapid City, SD; and Scott Allan Peterson of Lake Park, MN; and also by her five grandchildren: Patricia Kathleen Dixon of Jackson Hole, WY; Christopher Samuel Peterson of Missoula, MT; Megan Cora Peterson of Portland, OR; Lindsey Ann Hixson of Rapid City, SD; and Nicholas Peterson Fitzgerald of Seattle, WA.She is also survived by 10 brothers and sisters: Myrtle Olson of Detroit Lakes, MN; Raymond Grefsrud of Hawley, MN; Norris Grefsrud of Hawley, MN; Vernon Grefsrud of Webster, WI; Earl Grefsrud of Minneapolis, MN; Ardell Nelson of Helena, MT; Glenda Bengtson of Pelican Rapids, MN; Lorraine Grefsrud of Hawley, MN; Ardean Grefsrud of Cascade, ID; and Wanda Erickson of Hawley, MN.