Selma (Sally) Peterson

Sally was born in Troy, SD, to the prairie farm family of Thomas & Emma Julia Thorson. She was the seventh and last surviving child of twelve: Carl (Helen), Elsie, Minnie (Albert) Torgerson, Oliver (Marvel), Grace (Paul) Dahl Curtis, Erma Waldrom, Elda (Ralph) Trane, George (Dorothy), Ted (Loretta), Josephine (Bob) Paterson, and Mae Lorraine. She was married for 56 years to Reuben Peterson – from 1943 until his death in 1999. They were blessed with four children—Susan (Michael) Bradrick, Montesano, WA; Ron (d. 1991), David, Bellingham, WA; Judy (Ken) Stephens, Port Orchard, WA--and lived in South Dakota, Nebraska, Wisconsin, and Washington State. She was also blessed with 17 grandchildren and 44 great-grandchildren.

In her youth, Sally rode horseback to her one room schoolhouse and went on to receive her teaching certificate from Augustana College (Sioux Falls, SD), attend Midland College (Fremont, NE), and receive her BA in Elementary Education from the University of Washington. She taught the primary grades for many years. She was actively involved in the lives of her children and extended family members, her local church, Christian Women’s Club, and Sons of Norway. She loved hospitality and was always the perfect hostess. She also enjoyed Norwegian rosemaling and playing Pinochle, Bolo, and Dominoes with her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and beloved friends.

Above all, Sally loved God and His Word, and she faithfully taught a weekly ladies’ Bible Study in her home until shortly before going home to the Lord. Her Memorial Celebration will be at 1:30 p.m., Monday, October 13, at South Kitsap Alliance Church in Port Orchard, WA. In lieu of flowers, Sally preferred that donations be made to: “South Kitsap Alliance Church/Sally Peterson Benevolence Fund.” Mailing address: South Kitsap Alliance, PO Box 871, Port Orchard, WA.