Iris S. Peterson

Peterson, Iris S.



Iris S. Peterson, 88, of Albuquerque N.M., passed away peacefully on July 25th, 2017 surrounded by her family.



She was born on April 20th, 1929 in Madison Wisconsin, one of eight children born to Frank and Edith Smith.



She was preceded in death by her mother, father, six sisters and brother, son Ronald, and daughter Nancy.



She is survived by her husband of 71 years, Rodney E. Peterson; daughters Barbara Herrera and husband Sisto, Joann Pounders, Linda Roberts and partner Lee Trimble; daughter-in-law Carol Peterson; grandchildren Karen Johnston (Howard), Roy Peterson (Connie), Jessica Roberts, Jamie Pitts (Nick), Alex Herrera, Lauretta Pounders-Ohrberg (Jonas); numerous great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews; cats Bonnie and Clyde; her "herd" of box turtles; and many dear friends.



Iris attended East High School in Madison, Wisconsin, along with Rodney, the love of her life and future husband. They were married in 1946, and after many starts and stops, ended up in Albuquerque in 1953. All her five children attended Albuquerque Public Schools where she was active in scouting and as a room mother. Summer vacations were often spent traveling with her children and grandchildren to National Parks, Disneyland, family reunions in Wisconsin, and trips to Mexico.



Iris's career life was spent in retail sales and she retired in 1991 from Mervyn's where she was manager of the Children's Department. After retirement, she enjoyed traveling with Rodney and their motor coach friends of the FMCA Chaparral Chapter. Iris was an avid quilter, crafter, gardener, and derived pleasure from watching her "herd" of box turtles grow. Her "shining hours" were the weekly card parties with her women friends.



Cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held in the Chapel of Riverside Funeral Home, 225 San Mateo Blvd. N.E. on Saturday August 19th at 2:00 p.m.



In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Iris' name to Presbyterian Hospice Inpatient Unit.