Emma Malora (Morris) Peterson

December 11, 1905 - December 16, 1999   

94 years,  5 days 

Marriage:   Leonard Arnold "Pete" Peterson - married October 16, 1929

Children of Emma & Pete:
  Arvada Joyce Peterson (McNabb) (Simcoe) (1931-2018 / 87 years)
James Allen "Jim" Peterson (1933-1975 / 42 years)
Jon Quentin Peterson
Timothy Michael "Tim" Peterson

Written by Arvada Simcoe in 1999.

Emma Malora Peterson was born on a cold stormy night on December 11, 1905, to Walter G. & Arvada Morris in Lansford, North Dakota.  This homestead was located about half the distance from Minot to the Canadian border.  Grandpa (Walter G.) had to hitch a horse to the sleigh to go fetch the lady down the road for the delivery.  To provide a warm place for her to sit he had warmed stones on the cookstove and placed them in a torg box.  Mother (Emma) made her appearance so close to midnight that Grandpa insisted she was born on December 12th.  She was placed in a red clothes basket that was her bed for a number of months.  She was the youngest of six children.  There were three brothers, Boyd, Charlie, & Avery; and two sisters, Esther & Madrid.  

Since she felt more in the way in the house, she spent most of her time outdoors playing with her cats & dogs or in the barn on riding the farm equipment with her dad.

She attended schools around the Lansford area and right after her school graduation was asked to teach for one year because she was the most educated that was available.   They could find no one to teach that year.   She attended Minot State Teachers College to obtain a teachers' certificate.  From there she spent many years teaching in the rural North Dakota schools.  It was a common occurrence to have to arrive well before the school bell to put a fire in a pot belly stove to warm a one-room school house.

She taught as many as eight grades simultaneously.  Once a teacher, always a teacher personified Mother (Emma).  And up into her eighties, she was helping arm the Vietnam nail girls with proper use of English.  Amy used to ask, "What English I learn today?"

To the end, Mother wanted to make a good appearance.  She & Dad (Pete) loved to have a new outfit for each social event  She frequently would comment that she liked to use an outfit that I would be wearing that day.  When a small chip appeared in her nail polish, I was informed that her nails needed doing.  Never was I anything but proud to present her to others.

She was raised in a Quaker household where playing cards, consuming alcohol, and dancing were taboo.  However, her first teaching position was in Ryder, North Dakota, where she met the fun-loving Leonard "Pete" Peterson who could really put on the charm.  She soon learned to dance and to the end, dancing became one of their favorite activities.

Before their marriage on October 16, 1929, she had joined the Lutheran church.  Because her folks were fond of Dad, they accepted her change in faith.   To this day, I am most thankful to have lived in a Christian surrounding where obedience to God's love and honesty was the rule.  Kim, a grandson, never heard Mother speak a foul word and one of the grandsons remembers a little dropbox where they had to put a quarter in if one was used.

She and Dad resided in Beulah, North Dakota their first few years of marriage and it was there I made my appearance in 1931.  Dad owned and operated a meat and grocery store and helped his uncles out on their range.  He also worked underground in the coal mines.  That had Mom frantic every day until he made his appearance at the end of the day.

They left Minot, North Dakota to settle in Fargo in 1950 where Mother spent many years as office manager with Dad in Hobart Sales & Service.

The Folks retired in the early 1970s and permanently moved to their home on Big Floyd Lake north of Detroit Lakes, Minnesota where they spent many happy years.  They took up the game of golf when they were close to 70.  Our Mom's job was raising the most gorgeous roses you could ever see and anything she planted seemed to flourish.  One of my fondest memories will always be the visits I made to see what was coming up in bloom in her flower beds.  To this day her communion with nature will always be an important part of my life.

Mother was happiest when surrounded by the people she loved.  She and Dad seemed to operate a motel and restaurant that was always full from 1974 until 1989.  They spent five winter months near New Braunfels, Texas.  They lived at Big Floyd in the summer and became snowbird migrants each winter.  They golfed and attended Elks & Shriner events.   They were warmly welcomed when they attended church each Sunday.  They developed close relationships with permanent residents from New Braunfels.  It seemed to me that they were always in a party mood.  They had many treasured friendships.  Love and laughter always permeated their home.

When Dad's failing health made it necessary to sell the lake home and move to the Wesbrae Retirement Court in Houston to be close to me, leaving her family and friends behind was a situation that Mom never fully accepted.  

She spent three years caring for Father until his death in 1992.  She continued to participate in many activities at Wesbrae  until dementia made its appearance in 1996 and she soon needed assisted living.  In July 1999 she fractured her pelvis and was confined to either bed or a wheelchair.  As so often happens her enjoyment of living deteriorated as well as her health until it was necessary to obtain hospice care during the last month of life.  I can't say enough good for Houston Hospice who were onsite the last week with their support and care.  She died peacefully on December 16th, 1999, five days after her 94th birthday.

Her love of music remained an important part of her and many a time she accompanied me on my squeaky violin.  How proud she was when I played in my first recital at the Governor's mansion in Bismarck, North Dakota.

So, Mother, we thank you for your positive love, devotion, and guidance.  She believed that God intended us to enjoy life.  She lived it accordingly.

A few statements she continued to use were a greeting, "How do?"
And "That's the why it is"
Or "What will be will be"

The family and I thank all of you for your presence here and for your love and support.

I know our loving God has received this faithful servant.  She has served well and we are ready to let her go.

Morris Family (home)  - Kinstories (home)  -  Johnson Family  -  Susag Family  -  Flatau Family  -  Beckman Family
Granquist Family  -  Anderson Family  -  Stout Family  -  Walker Family  - Peterson Family  -  Cauble Family