Phyllis Eileen Peterson

Phyllis Peterson, 63, of Portland ND, passed from this life into glory on Saturday, July 6, 2013 at Sanford Health Palliative Care Unit in Fargo, ND, after a short battle with peritoneal cancer. Phyllis is survived by her husband, Ralph, and four children; Brent (Kristin), Valley City, ND; Julie (Alan) Twedt, Portland, ND; Aaron, Omaha, NE; Andrew, Fargo, ND. Her grandchildren are Caleb, Rebekah, Hannah, David, Abigail, and Faith, Valley City; Solveig, Malena, Elsie and Jens, Portland. She is also survived by her siblings; Berna (Merle) Hanson, Minnetonka, MN; Levon (Sharon) Nelson, Mayville, ND; sister-in-law Suzann Nelson, Grand Rapids, MN; Harold (Bev) Nelson, Breckenridge, MN; Alane (Brian) Jodock, Northwood, ND. She also cherished many cousins, nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews. Preceding her in death were her infant daughter, Rachel Elizabeth; parents, Bernhard and Alvhild Nelson; brother, Ron Nelson; nephew, Mike Nelson. Phyllis Eileen was born January 15, 1950, to Bernhard and Alvhild (Berg) Nelson, in Mayville, ND. She graduated from Portland High school in 1968, and attended the Association Free Lutheran Bible School in Plymouth, MN for one year. Phyllis was united in marriage to Ralph Peterson on December 20, 1969, at Valley Free Lutheran church in Portland. Their first home together was in Germany, while Ralph was enlisted in the army. They lived for a short time in St. Michael, MN, until returning to Portland, ND to raise their family. Those 43 years of marriage were filled with different occupations and volunteer work, but her greatest work was that of being a wife, mother, and grandmother. As a supportive wife, she trusted the Lord to provide. As a mother, she desired to follow Proverbs 22:6, “Train up a child in the way he should go”. As a grandma, she delighted in working and playing with her grandchildren. She was musical. She was humble. She had the quickest wit around. She had the gift of hospitality. She was the hands and feet of Jesus to many people, giving of herself day in and day out. She was a gift from God to us. Visitation: 5-7 PM on Monday, July 8, 2013 with a prayer service at 7:00 PM at Baker Funeral Home Chapel and will resume one hour prior to the funeral service at the church. Funeral Service: 2:00 PM Tuesday, July 9, 2013 at Riverside Evangelical Free Church, Mayville, ND. Burial: Aurdal Cemetery, Portland, ND.