Obituary for Frances H. Peterson

Life Story for Frances H. Peterson

FRANCES MAUDE HAMILTON PETERSON
April 9, 1914 - October 9, 2014
Frances Hamilton Peterson ended her earthly life on October 9, 2014, surrounded by her
wonderful caregivers at Bethany Care Center in NE Minneapolis. She celebrated 100 years of
living with a potato pancake party at Bethany in April of this year!
Frances arrived in this world on April 9, 1914 in Lucas County, Iowa. She was the third child of
10 and eldest daughter of Maude (Nickolaus) and John Louis "JL" Hamilton. She often told
tales of farm life in southern Iowa, practical jokes by her 7 brothers, the love of her parents, and
the resourcefulness of living with little of this world's riches while being content. She attended
rural school in Rabbit Ridge, Lucas High School, and Chariton High School, graduating in 1932.
She enjoyed a position as the Assistant to the County Superintendent of Schools from 1934-36,
and then went on to graduate from Teacher's College (now UNI) in 1941. She taught in rural
schools from 1938-1944. Responding to a plea for more nurses during and after WWII, Frances
entered nursing school along with her sister Mary, completing her training in Springfield, MO.
She was a nurse at several VA Hospitals, moving to Minneapolis in 1953. She was an RN at
(then) Minneapolis General Hospital from 1956 - 1969. Following her many positions at
General, she taught nursing at Anoka-Ramsey Community College from 1969-70 and also
became night supervising nurse at Crestview Care Center until 1977.
Soon after arriving in Minneapolis, friends introduced Frances to David Peterson and they were
joined in marriage at her church - Goshen Baptist - in Lucas County, Iowa in August of 1954. In
1957 David and Frances moved into a brand new suburb, Fridley, and spent the next 34 years
there. Soon Frances adapted well to a Swedish Covenant family and her new faith community
at Salem Covenant Church on 18th and Central. It was in this loving community that they raised
their one daughter, Joanne. Frances willingly entered into family celebrations, Swedish
traditions, women's Bible Studies, and was always willing to add her assistance to requests for
counsel, advice, leadership, and compassion.
In addition to her long list of career accomplishments, Frances kept active as a reader and a
writer of poetry. While her two sisters washed dishes, Frances recited her favorite poems from
memory and up to a few months ago was still able to recite many sections of her favorites. She
repeated them often to her daughter, teaching Joanne to read as soon as she could speak.
Later in life she took a course in upholstery, and "rehabbed" several older pieces of furniture for
her family and several neighbors, making them good as new. Frances enjoyed collecting
famous postage stamps, coins, and bone china cups. Most summers the family traveled to
Duluth, staying at their favorite lodge - Bob's Cabins - and then moving on to Port Arthur and
Fort Snelling (now Thunder Bay) Canada, where Frances would enjoy searching for yet another
lovely china coffee cup. Several years ago she gave away one lovely cup to every family
member.
Following David's death in 1991, Frances sold their home in Fridley and moved to Palmer Drive
Apartments in New Brighton. She continued to be active in her church and senior events and
trips. In 2003 she moved into an Assisted Living Apartment at Bethany Village and, as her
health challenges increased, she moved to first floor, then second floor at Bethany. Her sister,
May Hamilton, joined her at Bethany and they were together until May died in December of
2011. Frances was grateful for her many years at Bethany and told her visitors about her
caretakers. Friends, family, and caregivers will all remember her loving kindnesses, her giving
heart, and her deep faith and love for The Lord.
Frances was preceded in death by her parents, 8 brothers and sisters, and her husband David.
She is survived by daughter Joanne Sorenson, grandchildren Katherine and Christopher
Sorenson, all of Fall Creek, Wisconsin, her brother Jim Hamilton of Council Bluffs, Iowa, sisterin-
law Joyce Peterson of Golden Valley, and many other nieces and nephews.