Carol Peterson

Carol Geneva Peterson completed her earthly journey on Saturday, October 22, 2011 at Lake Region Health Care in Fergus Falls, MN and is at peace in the arms of her loving Shepherd and Savior, Jesus Christ. Carol was born on Christmas Eve, December 24, 1918, in the big sky country of Montana about ten miles from Harlowton. Her parents, Emil and Lillian (Webster) Quist and older brother, Wilton, born October 14, 1913, had moved from New Sweden, MN in 1916 to this area of Montana to begin farming. Her brother, Luther, was born in Montana on July 7, 1917. These were the years of severe drought in Montana and after farming for nine years with only one year of good crops, her family returned to Minnesota in the spring of 1925 to settle on a farm on the north end of Barrett Lake, Barrett, MN. The family attended the Mission Covenant Church until the Fridhem Lutheran Church was constructed in Barrett. Carol and her family were 100% Swedish and were proud of their heritage. Carol was baptized into the Christian faith on March 18, 1919 at the Methodist Evangelical parsonage in Harlowton, Montana. She was confirmed at Fridhem Lutheran Church in Barrett on July 24, 1932 by Rev. Carl Gustafson. Carol began her education at a country school while living in Montana. She remembers riding on a horse behind the saddle of her brother, Luther, as they traveled to country school. After the family moved to Barrett, Carol attended the first through fifth grades at rural District 35, a three-mile walk from her home through the “big woods”. In 6th grade, she continued her education in town at the newly constructed Barrett school. During these years, she was active in the high school choir, band, vocal ensembles and pep squad. She graduated from BHS in 1936. Following graduation she worked at the Erickson Grocery Store and in 1939 was married to Arlington Peterson. They lived and farmed east of Barrett near Sylvan Lake and later near Peterson Lake. Carol had a very active part in all the various farming activities from milking cows to loading hay bales. Two children were born to this union - Kay Carol and Terry James. During the ensuing years, Carol attended the Alexandria Technical College in Alexandria, MN and graduated in 1968 with a degree in Licensed Practical Nursing. She practiced her profession at the nursing homes in Moorhead and Morris, MN for two years and at the Barrett Care Center for 15 years. During this time, she also cared for her mother, Lillian Quist, until she passed away at the age of 96. Carol retired from nursing in 1984. In August of 1994, Carol moved from Barrett to a condominium in Fergus Falls where she lived until the fall of 2009. At that time, she returned to Barrett to live at the Rolling Hills Residence Assisted Living. In May of 2011, Carol moved to the Pioneer Care facility in Fergus Falls, MN. She was a wonderful mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, always being there for her family, supporting them and nurturing them in their activities and caring for their needs. She enjoyed playing games of any kind with them and attended many of their school activities. Her Christian faith was very important to her and when she experienced any kind of adversity, she would say that “tomorrow will be better”. She has been a supreme role model for her family and others and will be missed very much by her loving family and many friends. Over the years, Carol was very active in the churches she attended in such capacities as Sunday School teacher and superintendent, Ladies’ Aid President, secretary and treasurer, Luther League leader, and maker of many, many church banners. She was an active member of several churches: the Barrett Mission Covenant Church, Fridhem Lutheran in Barrett, Zionsborg Lutheran, rural Evansville, Peace Lutheran in Barrett and Augustana Lutheran in Fergus Falls. She was the first lady member on the church council at Fridhem in the 1950’s. Traveling was a part of Carol’s activities, also. Her journeys took her throughout the United States including Alaska and Hawaii. She enjoyed her travels in Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, England, Scotland and Ireland and most all of Europe. She had many wonderful friends and relatives who made these journeys with her. She also enjoyed spending several winters in Palm Desert, CA in the early 1990’s with Ron, Kaye and Wilma Olson. She was a true friend and companion to many. The theatre and the arts were a part of Carol’s life. She traveled several times to New York with the University of Morris Theatre Arts Department to attend several Broadway musicals. She also enjoyed working with the Prairie Wind Players of Barrett and their productions. She could be found building and painting props, working in the kitchen and “pitching in” whenever an extra pair of hands was needed. Carol was always active and enjoyed a multitude of crafts. She made many beautiful quilts and quilted wall hangings, oil paintings, pottery pieces, wooden decorations, rug weaving, embroidery, knitting, crocheting, hardanger and crewel works. Her family and friends are the fortunate benefactors of her talents. Carol is survived by her family who deeply miss her: daughter, Kay (James) Weigand of Wendell, MN and son, Terry (Ann) Peterson of Petaluma, CA; three grandchildren: Debra (Edward) Lake of Oshkosh, WI, Laurie (Timothy) Champ of Maple Grove, MN, and Alisha (Graham) Irwin of Fairfax, CA; two step-grandsons: Charles (Juli) Roetter of Santa Rosa, CA and Steven Roetter of Petaluma, CA; nine great-grandchildren: Ryan Champ, Michelle (Lande) Torres, Daniel Lande, Joshua Champ, Mariah Champ, Ashlyn Roetter, Memphis Roetter, Finley Irwin and newly born Lucas Irwin; one step-great-grandson: Curtis Lake; along with many nieces, nephews and cousins. Preceding her in death were her parents, Emil and Lillian; her brothers, Wilton and Luther and their spouses, along with many aunts, uncles and cousins. Arrangements are with the Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls, MN Visitation and prayer service: Friday, October 28, 2011 from 5:00 to 7:00 with a prayer service at 7:00 pm at the Pioneer Care Chapel in Fergus Falls, MN with Chaplin Harry Olson presiding. Memorial Service: Saturday, October 29, 2011 at 10:30 am at Augustana Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls, MN with Pastor Philip Tobin officiating and Rev. John Quist assisting. Burial: Union Cemetery in Barrett, Minnesota