Obituary of Beverly Anne Peterson

BEVERLY ANNE PETERSON September 14, 1935 – July 27, 2022 Beverly Anne Peterson passed away peacefully on 27 July. She was 86 years old. Bev battled to the very end, finding the will to sustain until all six of her children, who arrived from all over the country, were by her side. Born on 14 September, 1935, Bev was the oldest daughter of Barbara and Clyde Wolfgang of Idaho Falls, Idaho. She grew up on the family farm, watching and helping as each of her four sisters arrived. After Catholic grade school, Bev attended high school at St. Mary’s of the Wasatch in Salt Lake City. Next, it was on to Pocatello, where she enrolled at Idaho State College. It was in Pocatello that life changed directions. Jim Peterson, of Mt. Prospect, Illinois, had recently returned from serving in Korea. He was lured to Idaho by high school friends, whose stories of fishing and hunting and pretty girls he couldn’t resist. A blind date in early 1956 introduced Jim to Beverly and six months later, they were hitched. A son was born in 1957, a daughter in 1959, and another son in 1960. Jim’s insurance career kept Beverly hopping during those early years. Three more kids arrived by 1967, each born in a different city. In 1968, Bev and Jim loaded the station wagon and moved to Portland. For the next 48 years, they watched the world from their perch in the west hills. Bev was active in the St. Thomas More Guild, compiling two books of recipes. For years she tutored English as a second language. She was a master quilter and seamstress to family and friends. Every Christmas was a treasure hunt as even kids in college combed the house looking for her hidden trove of holiday cookies. Most famously, she and Jim hosted an annual Fourth of July party that was the toast of the neighborhood for over twenty years. All while shuttling her kids from one sporting event or job to another. And no matter how late they got home, those kids always knew dinner would be warming in the oven. Later in life, Bev enjoyed her daily crossword and trolling local bookstores to find the latest unread novel by her favorite author, Ivan Duig. She rarely turned down a chance to play poker or Golf — or her favorite, Spite and Malice. When friends and neighbors would drop by, she would put projects aside and offer stimulating conversation and advice on everything from politics to relationships. Everyone who sat across the kitchen table from Bev felt like they were the absolute center of attention. Bev is survived by her sisters Janet Jacoby of Meridian, Idaho, and Roberta Hughes of Idaho Falls, Idaho, her son, David (Diane) and daughter, Betsy Ralston, of Oregon City; son, Bill (Sue) of Clio, California; son, Chris (Debra) of Portland; daughter, Patty Karmen (Rich) of Huntington, NY; and son Tony (Krista), also of Portland, as well as ten grandchildren. A remembrance mass will be held on Friday, 2 December at 8:20am at St. Thomas More Catholic Church. A celebration of life will follow that afternoon at Ernesto’s in Beaverton, from 1 to 3pm. In lieu of flowers, please direct donations to Providence Hospice.