Jean Aronson Peterson
ESCANABA — Jean Aronson Peterson, age 81, of Escanaba, passed away Christmas morning, December 25, 2022. A life-long member of the community, the joy Jean derived from seeing her family and working with children was perhaps only matched by her love of dogs.
Jean was born on June 26, 1941 to Arthur V. and Elin (Nelson) Aronson in Escanaba, Mich. She went on to graduate from Escanaba High School in 1959 and from Augustana College in 1963 with a degree in speech pathology. She then furthered her education with numerous hours of graduate classes at Northern Michigan University. Her degree covered speech and language therapy in the classroom for Kindergarten through 8th grade, and for all ages outside the classroom. Jean’s work teaching children took her to Skokie, Ill., the Intermediate School District, and the Rapid River, Gladstone, and Escanaba Schools, though she would say she never really worked at all because she loved her job and the kids.
Jean married Ralph B.K. Peterson on June 20, 1964 at Bethany Lutheran Church in Escanaba. Together for over 58 years of marriage, they raised three children, Erika, Britt Ann, and Nils Jon Oscar. In addition to her family and teaching, Bethany Lutheran Church was a life-long priority for Jean. She sang in the choir for 60 years, taught Sunday School and Cherub Choir for 25 years, and participated in church circle, multiple committees, and Church Council.
Jean also found fulfillment through community outreach. Over the years, she spent a great deal of time visiting and caring for nursing home residents and the elderly. In doing so, she could frequently be seen delivering meals or plates of traditional Swedish Christmas cookies. If she were here, she would wish you all meaningful lives filled with love and faith, and she would suggest we, “Smile and be grateful.”
She is survived by her husband, Ralph B.K. Peterson; children, Erika Peterson-Veatch (Ross), Britt Ann Peterson (Thad Murrah), and Nils Jon Oscar Peterson (Paisley); grandchildren, Oscar and Arthur Peterson-Veatch, Annika and Tess Murrah, and Tekla, Freyja, and Malin Peterson; her brother, Don Aronson; her sister, Ann Strieter (Fred); nieces, Susie Strieter and Nancy Schaffer (Dean); and great-nieces, Samantha Brock (Colin) and Shannon Schaffer.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Arthur and Elin Aronson.
Visitation will be held from 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, December 29, at Bethany Lutheran Church in Escanaba. Funeral services celebrating the life of Jean will follow at 4 p.m. Thursday with Rev. Lily Brondyke officiating. Jean’s service can be viewed via livestream at 4 p.m. Thursday on the Bethany Lutheran Church Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/belutheranescanaba/ A luncheon will be served at the conclusion of the services in the church fellowship hall.
The family requests memorial gifts be given to the “Bethany Lutheran Church, Chime Fund.” Burial will take place in Lakeview Cemetery in Escanaba.
The Anderson Funeral Homes are assisting the Peterson family and online remembrances can be shared at www.andersonfuneralhomes.net.