CARL ELMER PETERSON

Carl Elmer Peterson, 92, passed away Saturday, November 20, at his home, surrounded by family.

Carl was born to Norwegian immigrant parents, Tollag and Christina Peterson, on August 30, 1918. He attended Field School, a two-room elementary in Bow, and graduated from Burlington High School in 1937. He enrolled at Washington State College, where he pursued engineering studies and distinguished himself as an intercollegiate wrestler. In addition to his college activities he undertook flight training and, after earning his pilot's license, had the great pleasure of taking his mother aloft as his first passenger.

With America's entry into World War II, Carl was first employed at Boeing prior to being drafted into the Army. He served 42 months in England, France, Germany and Belgium as a construction corps sergeant. Upon his discharge, he resumed his studies at WSC and thereafter returned to Skagit Valley. His working life was spent in various aspects of agriculture. In the latter part of his career he specialized in agricultural fertilizer and chemical sales at Hansen & Peterson, Inc. and subsequently retired in 1980, at that time employed & partner of AgriChem, Inc.

Carl married his true love, Alice June Boe, on November 27th, 1948, and together they raised four daughters and a son. Alice died in 1978.

Carl reveled in the company of his family and friends. He was a lifelong member of Edison Lutheran Church. He was proud of his Norwegian heritage and traveled to Norway four times during his lifetime. For the past 30 years he spent his winter months in Hawaii on the island of Kauai where he made numerous, cherished friends and fond memories. He loved and excelled at gardening, taking special pride in growing a variety of flowers which he took great joy in sharing with others.

He was preceded in death by nine brothers and sisters: Peter Peterson, Sophie Johnson, Martin Peterson, Tora Freestad, Torval Peterson, Oscar Peterson, Theodora Hansen, Melvin Peterson and Clarence Peterson.

He is survived by his children: Carlene Cloud of Lacey, WA; Barbara (Bob) Schutte of American Falls, ID; Karen (Jerome) Fisher of Bow; Keith (Christie) Peterson of Burlington and Teresa (Greg) Miller of Snohomish and numerous 14 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren.

Memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 27th at Edison Lutheran Church. Memorials or contributions in lieu of flowers may be made to Edison Lutheran Church Building Fund, Hospice of the Northwest, the Homestead Christian Retreat Center of Snohomish, WA; or a charity of choice.

A private burial will be held at a later date.