Lenora A. Peterson

On the evening of October 24, 2013, Lenora passed away peacefully of natural causes. Lenora was being visited and comforted by family members at Providence Medical Center in Everett, WA at the time of her passing. Lenora was 91 years old.

Lenora was born in the town of Vang in Cavalier County, North Dakota on April 5, 1922. She was the sixth of ten children, and the fourth daughter, of Daniel Oscar Danielson and Bertha Overaus.

Lenora lived a full life which spanned many different eras and times. Putting her 91 years on this earth into this short note is immensely difficult, however, as she would say, "keep it simple." So, I will start at the beginning.

Her Grandfather, Peter Danielson, came from Norway in the 1800's and the family caravanned their way to North Dakota. He learned to live off the land and various different skills from the Indian's, whom Lenora said were very smart people. Her father was a carpenter and worked in the summertime because the weather was too cold to work in during the harsh North Dakota winters.

She grew up on the family farm and went to school in the one room school house about a mile away which housed all students (about 20) from kindergarten to eighth grade. She had few pets growing up, however, one of her favorites was a runt of a pig named "Bingo" she had received from her neighbor, Lars Christianson. Her home away from home was the Lutheran Church across the way, where she sang in the choir, watched the pastor’s little children, and played ball with the boys. At 13, she also began to show her fierce loyalty when she chewed out the local Ladies Aid women who were talking bad about her Uncle Carl!

She met her soon to be husband, Earl Peterson, when he asked her to a dance. She was initially lukewarm on the man, however, when he came back from CC camp, this is what she had to say "When he came back he was so handsome!" After about a year and a half of dating and a year long engagement, Earl and Lenora were married on September 30, 1939. They stayed in North Dakota living the farm life for another ten years, giving birth to five of the seven children, before moving to the west coast, Portland, Oregon, in about 1950.

Earl borrowed the money to purchase their first home in Portland from his Dad. They purchased their first home on 181st and Burnside for $3,800. This is where the last two children were born and where over the old wood stove, Lenora continued to improve the process for making what ended up being (I think we can all agree) the best Dough Gods ever known to mankind.

Lenora worked at various odds and ends jobs over the course of her life, however, she would agree that her most important job was raising her seven children: Glen, Gayle, Linda, Ayvis, Carol, Donna, and Debbie.

While attending to this important task, she also worked at Kisky Foods for ten years, janitorial services for various companies for five years, worked as a lobby and day maid for eleven years, and even started her own Bakery business in Redmond, Washington in 1973 with her sister Edna. She finally allowed herself to retire in 1989.

After retiring in 1989, her focus became her many, many, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Lenora, or "Grandma Pete" as all of us know her, was the best Grandma anyone could ask for.

There are too many great stories to share here that we all have and will continue to hold in our hearts, however, I can say that going to Lenora's house always made everyone happy, always. Lenora was a hero. She had the ability to teach people so much without needing to say a word, it was one of her many gifts.

Lastly, Lenora put pen to paper a few years ago and this is what she wanted her family to know:

If you have a family, you work together. When you work together, you will be surprised at what you accomplish. You have to have something to work for. I would like to be known as an honest person.

Thanks for yet another lesson Lenora. You are loved and will be missed.

Q & A with Lenora and her grandson:

Below are answers to some select questions from an interview book given to Lenora by her Grandson William Latter:

Q: What memories do you hold close to your heart about your young family?

A: When we took the kids to the fair. I used to sit around in the evening and play guitar and sing.

Q: What do you miss about the old days?

A: Barn Dances

Q: On your birthday, when you blow out the candles, what wish comes to mind?

A: I want my wish to come true!

Q: Tell me a favorite story about our family.

A: We all liked watching our dad come home from work on Saturday night. As soon as we saw the headlights we all ran down stairs. Loved picking berries with dad and mom would make us lunch. We enjoyed the Langdon Fair. We would come home in the night and we would all be turned around watching the lights from the fair.

Q: What are your wishes for your children? What is your wish for me, Grandma?

A: Grow up. Be respectful and good. I wish you grow up to be a fine young man. Please your parents.

Thanks for sharing Will!

Lenora was preceded in death by:

Daniel Oscar Danielson, Father, 1882 - 1952

Bertha Oscar Danielson, Mother, 1892 - 1991

Earl Henry Peterson, Husband, 1917 - 1968

Norma Peterson, Sister in Law and Good Friend, 1922 - 2011

Irene Knutson, Sister, 1912 - 2009

Florence Arneson, Sister, 1917 - 2008

Orin Danielson, Brother, 1916 - 1991

Wallace Danielson, Brother, 1920 - 2011

Norris Danielson, Brother, 1931 - 2005

Lenora is survived by:

Grace Busse, Sister, Born in 1913

Edna Swenson, Sister, Born in 1925

Lois Thompson, Sister, Born in 1928

Carrol Williams, Sister, Born in 1934

All of her seven children: Glenn Dale Peterson, Eleanor "Gayle" Lilienthal, Linda Lou Anderson, Ayvis Erlene Daniels, Carol "Missy" Betty Barlow, Donna Jean Latter, and Debra Kay Gallagher

Honorary Pallbearers:

The first born son from every child of Lenora's:

Jerry Peterson, Monte Lilenthal, Scott Anderson, Eddie Bisconer, Brian Barlow, Jeremy "Buck" Hughes, and Peter Gallagher.

Memorials and gravesite mentions:

Lenora's gravesite will be be at Skyline Memorial Gardens, 4101 NW Skyline Blvd, Portland, Oregon. She will be peacefully placed next to her husband, Earl Peterson, in the "last supper" section on the Memorial grounds.

Special Thanks:

First, a special thanks goes out to Judy Orchard who took the time to gather information on Lenora's life in preparation of a book called "My Journey," of which contents of the book was reference numerous times above.

Second, a special thanks goes out to all the doctors, nurses, and folks at Skyline Memorial Gardens for helping the family make this a peaceful transition process.

Third, a special thanks to Debbie Gallagher (Lenora's seventh and final child) who opened her home to Lenora in 2004 and was both a daughter and her caregiver for the final nine years of Lenora's life.

Fourth, a special thanks to all of Lenora’s children who have always been there for her when it was needed and loved Lenora unconditionally.

Finally, thank you to all the friends and family that came into Lenora's life throughout her journey. She appreciates every person she crosses paths with and loves deep. You are all special.

Final Comments/Condolences:

If anyone would like to share any final thoughts on this great woman, there is a digital guest and comment book online which can be found at the following e-mail address: http://obits.dignitymemorial.com/dignity-memorial/obituary.aspx?n=Lenora-Peterson&lc=2433&pid=167703142&mid=5717455

Please send your hand written notes to:

Debbie Gallagher - 709 North Indiana Avenue, Granite Falls, WA 98252

Closing Thoughts:

In closing, one of Lenora's great grandchildren, Paige Barlow, picked the following verse from the Bible for "Great Grandma Pete":

"...but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."

Isaiah 40:31

God Bless You Grandma