Judith Peterson

MILBANK- Judith Peterson 97, of Milbank, died on Sunday, May 21, 2006 at St. William’s Care Center in Milbank. Her funeral will be at 2:00 P.M. Thursday, May 25, 2006 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Webster, Rev. William Olsen officiating. Burial will be in the Webster Cemetery. Visitation will be at Fiksdal Funeral Service in Webster on Wednesday 4-8 P.M. and prior to services on Thursday. Judith Marie Burke was born on August 15, 1908 to Joseph and Marie (Vatland) Burke at Coon Valley, Wisconsin. The Family moved to Savage, Minnesota and resided there until Judith was six years old. The family then moved to Keldron, South Dakota where she attended country school and later graduated from high school at Morristown, South Dakota. After graduation she attended Aberdeen Normal School in Aberdeen and received her teaching certificate. She taught for nine years at various schools in western South Dakota and later in Blooming Valley Township, Grant Co. near Ortley. On May 25, 1938 she married Kenneth Peterson near Ortley. The couple made their home on the family farm in Blooming Valley Township south of Ortley. The couple retired from farming in 1973 and moved to Webster. Mr. Peterson passed away in January of 1994. After his death she continued to live in Webster until September of 2004 when she moved to Beverly Park Place and later entered Beverly Care Center in Milbank. In August of 2005 she moved to St. William’s Care Center in Milbank where she remained until her passing. Judith was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church and was active in Circle, Ladies Aide, and church quilting. In her younger years she taught Sunday school and Bible school while she was a member at Lebanon Church south of Ortley. She was a volunteer Gray Lady and delivered “Meals on Wheels” to senior citizens around town. She enjoyed oil painting, playing piano and scrabble and visiting with family and friends. Judith passed away on Sunday, May 21, 2006 at Milbank, South Dakota at the age of 97 years 9 months and 6 days. Survivors include: two daughters; Carol (Jerry) Richardt of Webster, SD and Janice (Wilbur) Letze of Milbank SD; five grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, one brother, and one great-grandchild.