Edith Irene (Bowman) Peterson, 97, of Luck, formerly of Atlas and Grantsburg, passed away Friday, August 27, 2021.

Edith was born on April 26, 1924 in Soudan, Minnesota, daughter of John Warner Bowman and Irene Christine (Holm) Bowman.

When Edith was less than a year old, her mother died. Irene’s dying wish was that her baby be sent to live with her maternal grandparents in the Red River Valley of Minnesota. Five years passed and her dad remarried. Then Edith was brought back to Soudan to begin living with her dad, two other brothers, one older sister and her new stepmother, Eleanor Sjostrom. She attended Soudan Elementary School in June of 1942.

After graduation, Edith wasn’t sure what career she wanted to pursue so she worked at a variety of jobs over the next years. She clerked at a dry goods store, worked the night shift at Honeywell during the war, was a dental assistant, and worked as a security in a medical facility. She saved enough money by working these jobs to put herself through one year at Bethel University and a semester at the University of Minnesota.
Later in life, she graduated from Polk County Teacher’s College and finished her bachelor’s degree in education by attending summer sessions at the University of Wisconsin in Superior. She taught at Alabama School and when that little country school closed, she taught second grade in Luck until her retirement from teaching.

Edith married David Paul Peterson on May 21, 1949 and they established their own home on the family farm in Atlas, Wisconsin. Three children were born to them – Miriam, Mark and Warren.

Edith and David lived on the Peterson farm until 1989, when they moved to Grantsburg, first to a house they purchased and then to Courtside Square. In July 2015, David and Edith relocated to the United Pioneer Home in Luck, Wisconsin.

In the 1970s – 80s, David and Edith ran a group home for the handicapped in Siren, Wisconsin. They also were caretakers and housekeepers in Lindstrom, Minnesota. They retired in 1985.

Edith accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as her personal Savior when she was nineteen years old. Her love for the Lord inspired her to serve in the churches she attended by leading Vacation Bible Schools, directing Christmas programs, leading Sunday schools, and helping in the kitchen for church functions.

Family was a priority for Edith. She loved spending time with children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She enjoyed cooking and baking. She was an exceptional baker and especially excelled at baking breads and rolls. It was her joy at Christmas to bake many varieties of cookies and arrange them attractively to be presented on Christmas Eve. She helped tend a huge vegetable garden and preserve the bounty from it. For many years she played her autoharp in the church string band. Edith was extremely industrious and always liked to be busy. If you needed help, she was there to offer her assistance. She had a good sense of humor and would often laugh heartily when something tickled her fancy. She also loved hearing stories of her great grandkid’s antics!
She will be greatly missed.

Edith is survived by three children, Miriam Newby, Mark Peterson and Warren (Joan) Peterson; five grandchildren, Bryan (Emily) Peterson, Erin (Geoff) Rechtenwald, Caleb (Kara) Newby, Laura Newby, Kyle (Christi) Newby; ten great grandchildren, Joshua, Annika and David Peterson, Vincent and Phoebe Rechtenwald, Charlie and James Newby, and Sophie, Ruthie and Gus Newby.

She is preceded in death by her loving husband, David; sister, Carolyn; and brothers, John (Bud), Buster and Jimmy.

There will be a private family service held at a later date.

Arrangements were entrusted to Swedberg-Taylor Funeral Home, Grantsburg.

Last Update: Sep 01, 2021 5:46 pm CDT