Mary Ruth Peterson
January 21, 1924 - August 26, 2018
Obituary
MIDDLETON- Mary Ruth (McDonald) Peterson passed away peacefully on Sunday, Aug. 26, 2018, at the Waunakee Manor. Mary Ruth was born on Jan. 21, 1924, the second of three children born to George and Bridget Anna McDonald of Soldiers Grove. She grew up surrounded by a large, extended Irish family with devout Catholicism at its center. After attending Soldiers Grove High School, Mary Ruth earned her degree from St. Mary’s School of Nursing in Madison. She was a diligent and caring R.N., practicing in hospitals in St. Louis, Denver, Racine and Prairie du Chien. On June 17, 1947, Mary Ruth married her high school sweetheart, James Ole Peterson at St. Philips Catholic Church in Rolling Ground. They enjoyed 67 years together, raising their eight children while celebrating a shared love of faith and family.
Mary Ruth was preceded in death by her beloved husband, James O., in 2014; her first born, Michael, in 2012; her parents; brother, Donald; sister, Anita (Herb) Helgerson; and daughter-in-law, Sandra Craine Peterson. Mary Ruth is survived by her children, Mark (Marla), Stephen (Jackie), Donald, Sara (James) Dalsin, Jenni (Owen) Stoughton, Ellen Peterson and Daniel (Lisa); daughter-in-law, Jane Randall; brother-in-law, Robert Peterson (Barbara); and sister-in-law Joan Peterson Goulet. Additionally, Mary Ruth is celebrated by 13 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren and many loving nieces and nephews.
It is impossible to fully express our deep appreciation to the staff at Waunakee Manor who, for the past seven years, has treated our Mother with care and love above and beyond what we could have hoped for.
Angels everywhere!
A mass of Christian burial will be held at ST. BERNARD CATHOLIC CHURCH, 7450 University Ave., Middleton, at 11 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 31, 2018, with Father Brian Wilk, Father Tom Kelley and Monsignor Douglas L. Dushack presiding. Visitation will be held at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Friday. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Gunderson West
Funeral & Cremation Care
7435 University Ave
608-831-6761
Events
Visitation
Fri Aug 31, 2018 @ 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM CDT
St. Bernard Catholic Church (University) • 7450 University Avenue, Middleton, WI
Mass of Christian Burial
Fri Aug 31, 2018 @ 11:00 AM CDT
St. Bernard Catholic Church (University) • 7450 University Avenue, Middleton, WI
Photos
No photos of Mary have been shared yet.
Memories
MM
Margo Murphy
Other •
rest in peace dear lady; what a foot print you have left for us all. Margo & Bill Murphy, Gays Mills, Wi
CF
carole fuller
Other •
I have thought of her often over the last couple years I left the Manor. She was my favorite resident to care for and with her being a nurse also we had a lot of stories to tell. I thank her for always remembering my name and sharing her life with me. You will be missed. Thanks for all the football games we complained about.
Carole RN, PM nurse
PB
Paul Lawrence Peterson aka Butch
Other •
I was almost 5 years old, when Aunt Ruth and Uncle Jim were married. I was in the wedding as their ring bearer. When they were dating, Uncle Jim would let me ride with him to see his love at "Old McDonald's Farm". My Dad (Jim's brother) always corrected me not to call the farm "Old". Ruth's Dad and Mother did have livestock and two draft horses he still used for plowing. Each time I went to the farm I would pester her Dad to ride the horses, they never had kids on their backs and he warned me they might not like it, but I got the ride of my life. Wish I could have made it to both of their funerals but I don't get around much anymore. Thank you Aunt Ruth and Uncle Jim for the best of memories.
Loved you,
Paul "Butch" Peterson (nephew)
CR
Col. John F. Rogan, USA, Ret.
Other •
We will always have fond memories of our friendship with the Peterson family going back to July 1970 when we arrived in Madison following my retirement from the Army after 25 years to become State Finance Director and Financial Advisor to the Bishop of the Madison Diocese and member of St. Bernard's Parish . We had never been to Wisconsin when Ann & I arrived with nine children, but quickly fell in love with Madison and Middleton after getting to know Mary and Jim and their lovely family.
With love, prayers and deepest sympathy,
Jack Rogan & Family