Effie E. Peterson, 100, of Cashton passed away at the Bethel Home in Viroqua on Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2014.
Effie was born Aug. 30, 1914, to Ferdinand Louis and Anna Bertha (Raeth) Stark in the town of Wien, Marathon County, Edgar, Wis. She was surrounded by the love of family and friends last week when she celebrated her 100th birthday. She attended Scotch Creek School in Edgar. The school’s name derived from the Scotch Creek, which was one of Marathon County’s most popular trout streams for many years. In 1933, she graduated from Edgar High School and moved to Chicago, where she became a manny. She remained in close contact with the young man whom she cared for throughout the years.
Effie was united in marriage to John Eugene Peterson on Sept. 13, 1941, in Chicago, at Fourth Congregational Church. Together they had one son, Clifford John Peterson. They moved to Sparta in 1949 and bought a small farm, where they raised chickens, cows and a few horses. She and John owned and operated J.E. Peterson Watch Repair Shop above the old Monroe County Bank building for nearly 25 years. Effie also cleaned houses for many people in the Sparta area. She was a member of Congregational United Church of Christ in Sparta.
From 1982 until 2008, Effie made Norwalk her home. Here she made many friends and was active at Immanuel United Methodist Church of Norwalk. Cashton later became her home for many years.
Effie was a very gifted and talented embroider right up until the time that she passed away. Her family and friends are going to miss the art that she designed on pillowcases for them. She also had beautiful gardens and flowerbeds. Effie had a real love for children and a genuine kindness for them. She cherished her family with her whole heart and welcomed company anytime. She always left them feeling loved and would give them a sweet, “Thank you for coming.”
Effie is survived by her son, Clifford (Vicki) Peterson; three grandchildren, Jonna Peterson, Kelly Peterson and Charles Peterson; three great-grandchildren, Casey Peterson, Kayla Peterson-Stein and Jessah Peterson; one great-grandchild, Norah Spencer; a sister-in-law, Mabel Jensen; along with many special nieces and nephews, other relatives and dear friends.
Effie was preceded in death by her husband, John, in 1973; her parents; and siblings, Evelyn (John) Nicol, Dorothy (John) Schmidtke, Ruth (Clyde) Collins, Clifford (Nancy) Stark, and Harvey (Betty) Stark.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 13, at Immanuel United Methodist Church of Norwalk. Pastor Theresa Amberson will officiate. Burial will follow at a later date in Woodlawn Cemetery. Family and friends are invited for visitation Saturday from 10 a.m. until the time of service at the church. The Torkelson Funeral Home of Cashton is assisting the family with arrangements.
The family would like to thank Bethel Home staff who cared for Effie. They treated her with compassion, respect and wonderful care. In lieu of flowers, memorials to Immanuel United Methodist Church of Norwalk are preferred. Online condolences may be offered at www.torkelsonfuneralhome.com.
