Elva Peterson

Elva Peterson died Saturday, August 22, 2009, at the Barrett Care Center. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm Wednesday, August 26, at the Messiah Lutheran Church in Hoffman with Pastor Steve Olson officiating. Burial will be in the Lincoln Lutheran Cemetery, rural Hoffman. Visitation is one hour prior to the service at the church. Elva C. (Bishop) Peterson was born September 26, 1910, the daughter of Charlie and Olga (Wik) Bishop in Urness Township, Douglas County, Minnesota. She was baptized and confirmed in the Evansville Norwegian Lutheran Church and attended school in the Evansville area. On June 12, 1935, Elva was united in marriage to Vincent Peterson. To this union, five children were born: Charles, Roger, ViAnn, Dennis, and Gary. They farmed in Elk Lake Township and were long-time members of Lincoln Lutheran Church where Elva was an active member of the Ladies Aide. Prior to her marriage, Elva worked at area resorts and restaurants. After Vincents' death in March of 1973, Elva started working at the Barrett Care Center that fall until retiring in 1978 due to arthritic knees. Elva held the distinction of being the first person in the United States to have both knees replaced at the same time. Elva baked many loaves of bread over the years, with buns being her legacy. The Thursday evening before her passing, she was helping to plan her 99th birthday celebration. Survivors include her children Charles (Fran) Peterson of Minneapolis, Roger (Mavis) Peterson of Brooklyn Park, ViAnn Pearson of Hoffman, Gary Peterson of Hoffman; daughter-in-law Carmen Peterson of Hoffman; 16 grandchildren, 31 great-grandchildren, and five great-great grandchildren; sister-in-law Effie Bishop; one nephew and three nieces. She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, son Dennis, son-in-law Charles Pearson, daughters-in-law Ginger and Ione Peterson, and three brothers, Ancel, Chester and Guy Bishop.

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