Betty Swanson-Peterson is a retired Carlton resident, who was born in the suburbs of Duluth, and lived there for around 28 years before moving to Carlton after falling in love. She had a few children and ran a daycare, before moving into a smaller house not too long after. 

When Betty was young she lived around the Duluth suburbs for about 28 years. Where she lived, there were many houses across the street and there was a boy one year younger than Betty. Next to the boy there were three girls that would always pick on him and then play with him so she went to break it up and then they would all stop fighting. One of the things she remembers fondly of when she was younger, is how every day they would walk over to her grandfather's house, that was not too far away, and they’d get milk, but she says she remembers that it didn’t taste too good.

After living in Duluth for 28 years, she fell in love with a Carlton High school teacher, so she moved in with him in a house out in the country. She began working at a daycare nearby. While working at the daycare, she took care of over 100 kids overall, and still gets recognized from them today, although a lot of times she doesn’t remember them because they look so different. During the 20 years she worked at the daycare, she only really came into town for things like shopping and ball games. Eventually she stopped working at the daycare and her husband retired, but sadly, 6 months after retirement, he was diagnosed with brain cancer, and passed away quite soon after. 

Soon after her husbands passing, she remarried to the father of one of her children’s friends. His wife had also recently passed away, and their children wanted them to get together. Then, they built a new house down in the Thompson area, so they wouldn’t have to go up and down so many steps. Recently she has been trying to do more things and get out more, and she hopes that she can get out more and do more with her family and get out. She also says one of the main things she wants to do while getting out is just to help other people.