Obituary of Lavaine Eloise Peterson

Lavaine Eloise (Jacobson) Peterson, age 88, died peacefully on November 29, 2017 at New Perspective in Cloquet, MN. She was born on April 12, 1929 in rural Pelican Rapids, MN to Christine and Ernest Jacobson. Lavaine attended a one room country school until 8th grade, graduated from Pelican Rapids High School, and then received her two year teaching license from Moorhead State University. She taught 6th grade for 4 years in Starbuck and Brown's Valley, MN before deciding to be a full-time homemaker and mother. Lavaine married Palmer K. Peterson on June 15, 1952. They shared 65 years of marriage and lived most of their married life in Scanlon, MN. They were active members of Bethel Lutheran Church in Scanlon and openly shared their faith. Together Lavaine and Palmer enjoyed traveling, camping, and times with family and friends. Lavaine was an avid reader and a lifelong learner. She loved to bake and share those goodies. She enjoyed writing and was so pleased that some of her poetry and short articles were published. Lavaine fought passionately for the establishment of Voyageur's National Park and even testified before the Minnesota state legislature about the importance of conserving this unique piece of nature and history. Her love of the outdoors continued as she simply enjoyed looking out the window or sitting on the patio of New Perspective. She is survived by her beloved husband, Palmer and 4 children: Candyce (Keith) Jutila of Cloquet, MN, Kent (Christine) Peterson of Eugene, OR, Sheila (Jim) Held of Duluth, MN, and Laura Peterson of Colorado Springs, CO. Lavaine is also survived by 7 grandchildren: Amy, Brian, Nathan, Peter, Eric, Kathryn, and Patrick. She is also survived by 4 great grandsons: Colin, Alex, Braden, and Tanner as well as many nieces and nephews. Lavaine's family would like to thank the friends and caring staff of both Pineview in Carlton, New Perspective in Cloquet, as well as the members of Bethel and St. Matthew's Lutheran Churches for all their kindness and compassion. A celebration of Lavaine's life will be held at St. Matthew's Lutheran Church in Esko on December 9, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. with visitation one hour prior. In lieu of flowers, memorials to Bethel Lutheran of Scanlon, St. Matthew's Lutheran of Esko, or Friends of Animals in Cloquet are preferred.