June Peterson

June Peterson, 67, longtime Wildrose and Tioga resident, passed away Sunday, Dec. 14, 2008, at Mayo Hospital in Rochester after a short, courageous battle with ALL (Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia) and subsequent complications.

Her celebration of life will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20, 2008, at First Lutheran Church in Tioga. Pastoral Assistant Kathy Paulson and the Rev. Sandy Anderson will officiate and interment will follow in the Grong Cemetery in Hamlet.

June Arlene Peterson was born on June 10, 1941, the daughter of Albert and Bernice Dahl, in Williston. She was raised on the family farm south of Wildrose, attending various grade schools (Wildrose, Anderson and Skistad), depending on where her mother was currently teaching. She graduated from Wildrose High School in 1959.

She was married to Gerald Peterson June 3, 1961, at Grace Lutheran Church, Wildrose. She and Gerald made their home at the Dahl family farm, south of Wildrose, and started a family. They moved to Tioga in 1966, where they established a home raising their three children. In 1994, they remodeled and moved onto the Peterson homestead, south of Wildrose, where they continued with the family farming business.

June did many things over the years, in addition to raising a family. She began work at American State Bank in Williston. She loved children and after moving to Tioga, she enjoyed providing in-home day care for a few families.

She was perhaps best known for her friendly smile and helpful service at the Tioga Toggery. Since moving to the farm, her life was very busy with all activities associated with farming and establishing a beautiful homestead.

June was always active in the community where she lived, primarily church and her children’s activities. She was a charter member of the Sons of Norway in Tioga. Since returning to the farm, she was very involved with the Grace Lutheran Church in Wildrose, especially spending time with her friends quilting.

June found great joy spending time with her family, especially spoiling her grandchildren with a lot of special attention. Her yard was a labor of love where she spent hours mowing, digging, planting, weeding and trimming... creating a landscape of beautiful bushes, trees, and flowers for everyone to enjoy.

She loved observing all of God’s creatures that ventured onto the farm - birds, owls, rabbits, fox, deer, moose, etc. She enjoyed getting company and would gladly stop whatever she was doing to share a cup of coffee and baked goods with whomever dropped by.

She treasured all her wonderful friendships. She loved laughing, singing and living life to the fullest. She was always positive, quick to give encouragement and had such a positive outlook on life - such an inspiration to everyone and anyone who knew her.

June is survived by her husband, Gerald of Wildrose; daughters, Dawn (Cary) Hawkinson, their children, Jaden and Ashlyn; and Cheri Peterson, all of Parker, Colo.; son Curt (Kristen) Peterson of Velva, and their children, Ally, Quintin and Kinley; brothers, Jim (Cheryl) Dahl and Rod (Kathee) Dahl, all of Ray; and a sister-in-law Louann Peterson of Anchorage, Alaska.

June was preceded in death by her parents Albert and Bernice Dahl.

Friends may visit the Everson Funeral Home Web site at www.eversonfh.com to share thoughts and remembrances.

Friends may call at the Everson Funeral Home of Williston Friday from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. and at the church on Saturday for the hour preceding the funeral.