Gwen L. Peterson

Gwen Lorraine Peterson, 95, passed away Monday, June 19, 2017 at Eventide Senior Living Center, Fargo, ND. 

Gwen was born in Flaxton, ND in 1921, the first of 5 children born to Iver and Myrtle (Boesen) Christensen.  She graduated from high school in Borup, Minnesota and studied Elementary Education at Moorhead State Teacher’s College graduating in 1941.  Gwen began teaching at the two room rural school in Prosper where she met her life partner, Ralph Peterson, a farmer in the area. They were married at Olivet Lutheran Church in Fargo, ND on March 1, 1947 and together farmed near Prosper, ND where they raised their two children.  In 1982, they moved to Oxbow, ND. Gwen and Ralph celebrated 69 years of marriage before he preceded her in death in 2016

Family was central to Gwen’s life, she loved to plan time with her children and grandchildren and maintained close relationships with her parents, sisters, and brother throughout their lives.  Gwen cultivated life-long friends in her community volunteering and participating in Homemaker’s Club, bridge, and Northern Star.  She was a faithful member of her church and taught Sunday School, organized summer Bible School, sang in the choir, and took part in small groups.  Gwen enjoyed cooking, gardening, entertaining people at home, playing bridge, and traveling but especially, reading to her six grandchildren.  Later in life she renewed an early interest in art, taking classes and displaying her work at home and several amateur art shows.

Gwen is survived by her daughter, Connie (Ray) Johnson; her son, Carl (Julie) Peterson six grandchildren: Eric (Michaela), Kyle (Elizabeth), and Josie Peterson; Max, Jacob, and Samuel Johnson; and two great-grandchildren: Theodore and Everett Peterson.  She is also survived by her dear and faithful sister, Carol Stensgard.

Gwen was preceded in death by her husband, Ralph, and three siblings, Betty Koshnick, Donna Christensen, and Claude Christensen.

Visitation will be from 9:00 -10:00 A.M. with funeral services to follow at 10:00 on Friday, June 23, 2017 at Olivet Lutheran Church, 1330 South University Drive in Fargo ND. Burial will be at Sunset Memorial Gardens, Fargo.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Gwen’s name to the Olivet Youth Ministry Program.

West Funeral Home & Life Tribute Center

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