Carolyn Louise Peterson

Carolyn Peterson Obituary Carolyn Louise Peterson, (nee Compton), 97, of Shorewood, passed away peacefully in her sleep on May 15, 2025. Born on December 22, 1927 in Dayton, Ohio to parents Edith (nee Zile) and Glenn E. Compton. Carolyn was a good student and an avid athlete growing up in Dayton playing on her high school basketball and field hockey teams. When her younger brother broke his arm, she took over his pre-dawn paper route delivering the morning newspapers on his bicycle and collecting the subscriptions. She graduated in 1945 from Fairview High School in Dayton where she was elected Queen of the May. Following high school, she followed her mother and her older sister into nursing, graduating as the Outstanding Student from Christ Hospital School of Nursing in Cincinnati, OH. She met her husband Jim on a blind date on a tennis court in Dayton while he was serving in the US Army Air Force at Wright-Patterson AFB. They were married at Grace Methodist Church in Dayton, OH on March 19, 1949 before moving to Minnesota as her husband began his career in the investment industry at J.M. Dain & Co., which later became Dain Kalman & Quail before being acquired by RBC Wealth Management. Following marriage, Carolyn worked for several years as a pediatric nurse at Abbott Hospital until retiring to care for her growing family. She volunteered for many years at Abbott Hospital and served on the Board of the Auxiliary and the hospitals Board of Trustees. She was a member of the Minneapolis Junior League and WAMSO supporting the Minneapolis Orchestra. She raised four children starting in Edina and later at her beloved home on Christmas Lake in Shorewood, where she lived for over 61 years. In later years, she enjoyed volunteering at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. She and her husband traveled extensively to Europe, Africa, Asia and the South Pacific. For over 35 years, they spent winters on Maui making many island friends. She was predeceased by her parents, her husband of 58 years, James G. Peterson, her sister Jane Linton and her brother Dr. James Compton. She is survived by her children: Gregg (Carter) Peterson of Wayzata, MN; Kate (Chris) Burr of Dedham, MA; Doug Peterson, Excelsior, MN; Linda (Rick) Denman of Excelsior, MN and former daughter-in-law, Wendy Rice Peterson, of Kula, HI; by her seven grandchildren: Ladd (David) Rowe, Kelsey (Mike) Recht, Clark (Emily) Peterson, Victor (Heather) Hagg, Greta Hagg, Peter Hagg, Kate (Jaxson) Stinger; and by her nine great-grandchildren: Grace & Carter Rowe, Tyler, Walker & Jacob Recht, Jack & Kayla Peterson, Dana & Beaudie Hagg. The family is grateful for the support of her thoughtful medical providers in the Allina Health system and especially for the loving assistance of her special caregiver team in recent years as well as the many friends she made from all walks of life. Memorials may be directed to the Nursing Excellence Fund at the Allina Health Foundation or to the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. Private interment with her husband, "The Captain", at Ft. Snelling National Cemetery. A reception celebrating her life with family and friends will be held at Wayzata Country Club on Thursday, May 29th from 4:00 PM 6:00 PM.
Services
Reception
Thursday
May 29, 2025
4:00 PM
Wayzata Country Club
200 Wayzata Boulevard West
Wayzata, MN 55391 To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Carolyn Louise (Compton) Peterson, please visit our Tree Store.