Phyllis Marie (Torgerson) Peterson

Phyllis Peterson of Starbuck and formerly of Watson died Tuesday, October 17, 2006 at Minnewaska Lutheran Home in Starbuck at the age of 85.

Memorial services will be held Saturday, October 28, 2006 at 2:00 P.M. at Watson Lutheran Church in Watson with Rev. Larry Olson and Rev. Denise Croskey officiating.  Interment will be in the church cemetery.

Phyllis Marie (Torgerson) Peterson was born March 9, 1921 in Tunsberg Township, Chippewa County, MN the daughter of Aane and Dolores (Russell) Torgerson.  She was baptized and confirmed at Watson Lutheran Church.  Phyllis graduated from Montevideo High School in 1940  and attended teachers training at St. Cloud State Teacher’s College.  She taught school at Spicer, MN  for two years before moving to Seattle, WA to work in the shipyards and later at Boeing-Lockheed in Santa Monica, CA.  She returned to Watson, MN to teach school in 1950-51.  She began teaching in Milan from 1952, where she also served as Elementary Principal.  She was united in marriage with Charles Petersen in August of 1955.  In the early 1960's, “Pete” and Phyllis moved to Napa, CA where they both taught school.  Pete died in 1978 and she later married Ira Peterson in 1986.  After Ira’s death in 1993, she continued to live in California before moving to Starbuck, MN in 2001.  She has been a resident at Minnewaska Lutheran Home since June, 2006.  Phyllis enjoyed golf, bowling, crocheting and traveling.  She also liked to garden and raise flowers.  While living in Napa, CA, she volunteered with Community Projects for several years. She was a member of Holmes City Lutheran Church.  Phyllis was a very loving and caring sister and aunt.

She is survived by four brothers: Robert Torgerson and his wife Virginia of Starbuck, MN, David Torgerson and his wife Lois of Clinton, MN, John Paul Torgerson and his wife Mary Ann of Coon Rapids, MN, and Lowell Torgerson of Brainerd, MN; one brother-in-law, Allen Olson of Watson, MN; one sister-in-law, LaVon Torgerson of South St. Paul, MN; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Preceding her in death were her parents; two husbands, Charles Petersen and Ira Peterson; one brother, Dean Torgerson; one sister: Joan Olson and one sister-in-law, Lina Torgerson.