Ruth Lucille Hedlund Peterson Obituary (1922 - 2009)

RUTH L. PETERSON Ruth Lucille Hedlund Peterson, age 86, slept away peacefully on Sunday, February 15th at home surrounded by her family. Born November 5, 1922 to Edna Kellog and Martin Hedlund of Boyceville, WI, she is survived by her loving husband Pastor Les Peterson, four daughters; Luella Weir (Jim), Rachel Jones (Bill), Marilyn Friberg (Pete), Bobbie Bainbridge (Matt), one son Paul Peterson (Laurie), one brother O.K. Hedlund (Bobbie), nine granddaughters, two great grandsons and many nieces and nephews. Ruth attended Oakridge Primary School and Boyceville High School. She graduated with honors from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, receiving a degree in library science. She continued on to receive her Masters degree at the University of Michigan. While working in the library at Augustana College, Rock Island, Illinois, she met Leslie Peterson and married him in 1946. She has been his loving wife and special companion in ministry for 62 years. Together they served on the mission field in Tanzania, East Africa for 26 years. Her library skills were used frequently throughout her missionary life. She will always be remembered for her Sunday School work and sewing classes with the women of Tanzania. In 1952 she wrote an article for the American Leprosy Mission called, "Sewing Without Fingers" which tells the story of her sewing class with women who had leprosy. Together with 62 missionary ladies she contributed to the book, "Touched by the African Soul". They returned in 1973 to serve at Providence Valley Lutheran Church, Dawson, Minnesota. In 1981, they moved to Menomonie, WI and served at Christ Lutheran Church and the American Lutheran Nursing Home. With a heart of love and continual prayers she has served our church and community by making quilts and by knitting over 200 prayer shawls. She will be greatly missed. We want to thank Dr. Nathan Rich and Dunn County Home Care for their loving professional care. In lieu of flowers, we suggest memorials be given to Christ Lutheran Church designated for Interfaith Food Pantry, USA and World Hunger. The Memorial Service will be held at Christ Lutheran Church, North Menomonie, WI, on Saturday, Feb. 21st at 12:00 p.m. (noon) with Pastor Geoff Scott officiating. There will be visitation at the church one hour prior to the service. Burial will be in Tiffany Cemetery in Boyceville, WI at a later date. Olson Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Menomonie is serving the family.