Aunt Charlotte

I just received my Great Aunt Charlotte's obituary today and want to post it here so I have it.  She was a remarkable woman, who had a remarkably wonderful life.

Charlotte I. (Mrs. Leonard) Peterson, age 98, of Faribault, died on May 19, 2010 at her home.

A celebration of Charlotte’s life will be held at The Church in the Maples United Methodist Church, Norwood, on June 5, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. with the Reverend Roger Grafenstein, officiating. Interment will be held be held in Hanley Falls, MN.

Charlotte Irene, the daughter of Jeremiah and Bertina (Svennungson) Smith, was born at her home on March 13, 1912 in Hanley Falls, MN. She married Leonard H. (Pete) Peterson on August 25, 1940 at the Little Brown Church In The Vale, Nashua, IA. He preceded her in death on August 11, 1983. She began teaching in 1933 in the Lyon County one room school near Marshall. She taught in schools in Hanley Falls, Washington Lake, Bongards, and Norwood.

Charlotte loved God, family, friends, children, nature, traveling, and simple pleasures. She liked to study philosophy, religions, history and genealogy. Her interests included playing bridge, stamp collecting, writing, and thoughtful discussions. She was an avid reader, a great cook and a deep thinker. She enjoyed family reunions, the North Shore, the Minnesota Twins, going Up North, fishing, and coffee. She had a wonderful sense of humor and wit. Education, kindness, generosity, gratitude, and having an open mind were important to her and most of all love – living it and expressing it. She touched the lives of hundreds and will be deeply missed.

She is survived by two daughters, Charmaine (and Tadashige) Saruwatari of Bloomington, IL and Diane (and Don) Ites of Faribault; and five grandchildren, Simon (Jenny), Leo, and Tim Saruwatari, and Brian and Heather Ites.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Leonard; five brothers, Rollin, Myron, Hiram, Byron and William Smith; and a sister in infancy.