Elizabeth Esther "Betty" Peterson

Elizabeth Esther "BettyÃ¢â‚¬Â Peterson went to be with her Lord Jesus, Monday evening, December 2, 2013 at Keelean AFC Home. She was 92 years young. She was born May 19, 1921 to Harold and Ruth Anderson. She was raised on a farm on South 39 Road, Southeast of Hobart. Betty loved children and teaching them. She began her teaching career in the small one room Nixon School on South 29 Road, Southwest of Cadillac. She continued teaching at Saint Ann Catholic School in Cadillac and then taught first grade for 17 years at McBain Public Schools. As a result of her daughter Marcia's disability, Betty was the first person from Cadillac to make contact with United Cerebral Palsy of Michigan asking for their assistance in the development of a special school for people with disabilities. This was prior to the State of Michigan mandating special education for people with disabilities. She worked tirelessly with her husband, Russ, and many other parents of children with disabilities in the formation of the Tri-County Handicapped School. The first location of this school was at the former White Pine School on Cadillac's Northwest side. Betty demonstrated her love for people and Christian ministry by financially supporting numerous ministries as well as her church, Temple Hill Baptist. She always remembered birthdays and anniversaries of her family; her children and grandchildren. She lived out her Christian life by showing great love and compassion for others. On October 6, 1946 in Cadillac she married Russell P. Peterson who passed away August 2, 2013. She is survived by her children: Dan (Delores) Peterson and Bonita "NitaÃ¢â‚¬Â (Jack) Bonge all of Cadillac; grandchildren: RaeLe (Richard) Stinger, April Liedeke, Steven (Bridget) Liedeke, Jeremy Liedeke, Aaron (Heather) Peterson, Joshua (Ashley) Peterson, Philip Peterson (Jordan Bomboske) and Nathan Peterson; 8 great grandchildren; a step sister, Claire Josephine Hector; step brother, David (Karin) Wier and sisters in law: Hilma Wier of Cadillac and Kathy Anderson of Traverse City. Funeral services will be held 11:00 AM Friday, December 6, 2013 at the Temple Hill Baptist Church in Cadillac with Reverend David Roose officiating. Burial will be a Maple Hill Cemetery in Cadillac. Friends may meet the family from 2-4 & 6-8 PM on Thursday at the Peterson Funeral Home in Cadillac. Memorial contributions may be made to the Salvation Army. An online guestbook is available at www.petersonfh.com.

Elizabeth Esther "Betty" Peterson

May 19, 1921 - December 2, 2013