Elaine Hannah Stone Peterson
NAPERVILLE, Ill. — Elaine Hannah Stone Peterson, age 82, died on Saturday, June 24, 2023, from complications from cancer. A recent resident of Sunrise Assisted Living in Naperville, Ill., Elaine also lived in Chicago, Rock Island, Champaign-Urbana, and Glen Ellyn, Illinois; Axtell, Nebraska; Ripon and Racine, Wisconsin; and, for almost 30 years, Escanaba, Mich.
Born in 1940 on the South Side of Chicago, she grew up in a neighborhood of Swedish immigrants, participating in Luther League and other church activities at Bethany Lutheran Church. Graduating in 1958 as class valedictorian from Bowen High School, she attended Augustana College in Rock Island, Ill. where she majored in biology. She met Dean Peterson their senior year when they were both cast in the same play.
Elaine and Dean married in 1964 and began a life of shared ministry during Dean’s pastoral calls to serve congregations in Axtell, NE; Glen Ellyn, Ill.; Escanaba, Mich.; and Ripon and Racine, Wis. They then retired to Escanaba, Mich.
A faithful churchgoer her whole life, Elaine was deeply involved in many facets of church life, from singing in the choir to leading Bible studies and book groups to serving many people delicious meals and treats in the church basement. An expert painter, sewer, crafter, Scrabble player, and baker, she was also an enthusiastic sports fan and avid reader of children’s books. She had a special place in her heart for the Escanaba Public Library where she volunteered in the children’s library for many years.
Elaine is survived by her husband, Dean; their three children, Scott, Dawn (Jonathan), and Joel (Carey). She deeply loved her six grandchildren, Riley and Jace Peterson, Paavo and Svea Rundman, and Tyler and Eli Peterson. She also is survived by her brother, Bob; cousin, Martha; and many beloved siblings-in-law, nieces, and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Eleanor; father, Axel; brother, Al; and cousin, Mary, who was like a sister to her.
Visitation will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, July 29, at Bethany Lutheran Church in Escanaba. Funeral services celebrating the life of Elaine will follow at 3 p.m. Saturday with Rev. Lily Brondyke officiating. A reception will be held at the conclusion of the services in the church fellowship hall. Burial will take place in Lakeview Cemetery in Escanaba. The Peterson family offers their deepest thanks to the staff at Sunrise Senior Living and Residential Hospice Care for providing skilled, compassionate care for Elaine during her time at Sunrise.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be shared with Bethany Lutheran Church, 202 S. 11th St., Escanaba, MI 49829, or Friends of the Escanaba Public Library (Preferably the Children’s Library), 400 Ludington St, Escanaba, MI 49829, or Fortune Lake Lutheran Camp, 138 Fortune Lake Camp Rd., Crystal Falls, MI 49920. The Anderson Funeral Homes are assisting the Peterson family and online remembrances can be shared at www.andersonfuneralhomes.net.