Ruth Ethel Peterson (Carlson), age 86, of 803 South 17th Street, Escanaba, passed away peacefully at her home and has gone to be with her Heavenly Father and her loving husband on August 14, 2005.

Ruth was born April 7, 1919, in Escanaba, the daughter of Gabriel and JoHanna Carlson. Ruth attended Escanaba schools before giving up school to help support her family after the death of her father. She worked as a housekeeper for many years and met her husband Ed during her employment for the Peterson family. Ruth married George Edmund Peterson on October 12, 1940 and was married to him for 63 years before his death in 2004. Ruth was a member of the Bethany Lutheran Church in Escanaba. She served on the womenís serving committee, at Bethany Lutheran and was a member of the Order of Reneburgs, Evening Star Circle, Michigan Association of Extension Homemakers, friends card clubs and bowling for many years on the Thursday Housewife League at the Bowl-A-Rama. She was an excellent cook and loved to bake, making Swedish meals at Christmas. She enjoyed crocheting, knitting, painting pictures by number and later drawing and painting her own pictures. Ruth liked to work in the yard and garden. She made many items of crafts, sewing doll clothing for her daughterís dolls. She loved spending time with her family. Ruth was a Cub Scout den mother, a Blue Bird leader (Campfire Girls), and was involved in PTA and the Halloween parties at Lemmer School. Ruth enjoyed writing and receiving letters from relatives in Sweden, Finland and Denmark. Ruthís last years were spent putting together photo albums and scrap books.

Ruth is survived by:

1 Daughter: Nancy Jean Peterson of Escanaba, MI

1 Son: James (Colene) Peterson of Escanaba

1 Grandson: Douglas Peterson of South Haven, MI

1Granddaughter: Debora Bennett of Escanaba, MI

1 Great Grandson: Tomas Bennett of Escanaba, MI

2 Brothers: Robert Carlson of Escanaba, MI; Roy (Shirley) Carlson of Duluth, MN

1 Sister in Law: Mae Brazeau of Escanaba, MI

Also surviving are 3 Nephews and 1 Niece.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, Gabriel and JoHanna and her husband George Edmund Peterson who passed away on July 13, 2004.

The Peterson family will receive friends on Friday at the Skradski-Boyce Funeral Home in Escanaba from 10:00AM to 11:30AM. Funeral services celebrating the life of Ruth Peterson will be held at the Skradski-Boyce Funeral Home at 11:30AM with Rev. Leonard Gilley representing the Bethany Lutheran Church officiating. Entombment will be in the Gardens of Rest Cemetery in Wells. Luncheon will follow funeral services at the Bethany Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall. Memorial contributions may be directed, in Ruthís honor, to the Bethany Lutheran Church Building Fund. Envelopes will be available at the Skradski-Boyce Family Funeral Home of Escanaba.