Verna Mae (McLaughlin) Peterson, 93, died Thursday August 30 at her home in Carefree Living. She was born in Ely to Paul and Hilma (Perttula) McLaughlin on March 3, 1925. She attended Ely schools and on September 19, 1944 she married the love of her life William Daniel Peterson. Together they raised their six children at their home in Winton. Verna was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.
She was preceded in death by her husband Bill, parents, brothers: Thomas, Leonard, Wilfred, Robert, sisters: Mildred Salminen and Myrtle Kangas, and great-grandson Noah.
She is survived by her six children, Susan Jean (John) Franklin of Chicago, Daniel of Winton, Paula (Nick) Mattila of Ely, Peggy (Bob) Koschak of Fall Lake, Jim (Sue) of Fall Lake, and Clyde (Karin) of Ely; grandchildren: Nicole Maryn of Ramsey, MN, Kelly Cole of Otsego, MN, Justin Koschak of Virginia, Melissa Chapman of Big Lake, AK, Bill Peterson of St Paul, MN, Carlye McKinsey of San Francisco, CA, Jared Peterson of Kansas City, MO, Linnea Held of Forest Grove, OR, and Eric Peterson of Ely; 10 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
The Memorial Service will be held at First Lutheran Church, 915 E. Camp Street, Ely at 2 p.m. Saturday September 1 with Pastor Jonathan Varns officiating. A private inurnment is planned for a later date. Funeral arrangements are through Kerntz Funeral Home in Ely.