LUCY MARIBEL SHORTESS PETERSON
Lucy Maribel Peterson was born on April 15, 1917 near Lakefield, MN in Hunter Township, Jackson County, the eldest of four children born to Melvin Hillary Shortess and Ruth Aribel Freeman Shortess. In Hunter Township, her father farmed his Uncle Harry Leonard's farm. In 1918 the family moved to a farm near Milltown, WI and after three years they returned to the Harvard – Marengo, IL area where with the help of his uncle, Stephen Van Rensselaer Jones, purchased a farm. There Lucy began her schooling. A younger sister, Hazel died while they lived on that farm and is buried in Marengo cemetery. In 1925 the family again moved to Polk County, WI where they rented a farm near Balsam Lake. They lived there for two years and then purchased a farm in Eureka Township. Here Lucy grew to adulthood and attended schools graduating from Centuria High School in 1934. She enjoyed many years of 4-H work when growing up. While living near Centuria, they were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church where she was baptized on June 15, 1930. Following her high school studies she attended the Polk County Normal School in St. Croix Falls, graduating with the class of 1935. Lucy taught rural schools; Lamar School and High Bridge School District near Little Falls, WI. She met Clarence Peterson at Shafer, MN and their courtship led to marriage on November 20, 1938 at the Lutheran parsonage in Marine on the St. Croix. Minnesota.
Lucy and Clarence began their farming career near St. Paul Park, MN where their son Gerald was born. In June, 1939 the couple moved to Alden Township of Polk County and farmed. While in Alden Township Janet, Gordon and Duane were born. The other children were born at the Amery Hospital.
Lucy joined the Lutheran Faith Community as an adult and was confirmed on October 31, 1943 at the Little Falls Lutheran Church. In the spring of 1944 the family moved north of Amery in Lincoln Township. While living there they were members of Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Amery. In April, 1952, Clarence and Lucy moved to Balsam Lake Township and the family joined Balsam Lutheran Church on May 24, 1953. This has since been her beloved faith community. Lucy and Clarence purchased a farm on Lake Kenebec in 1956. They continued to live there until moving into Amery on November 1, 1987.
Lucy in her autobiography wrote "I am a wife, home manager, mother of 11, grandmother and great-grandmother. I would prefer to be called an optimist, a student, progressive, experimental and trying to make each day the best I have ever had. I am a perpetual student, taking lessons in English, bookkeeping, typing, sewing, crocheting, machine embroidery, oil painting, self assertiveness, and writing. I know a bit about many things and not enough about any of them. My ancestors have helped make America the country it is; having fought in the Revolutionary and Civil Wars, and helped to settle the Northwest Territory securing it into the United States.
Lucy has worked as a cook in a café, in a hospital kitchen, and later as a program assistant in expanded nutrition for Polk County Extension Program. She gardened, cooked, baked and canned lots of food each year. Lucy enjoyed fast speed internet for study and research items of interest. She had a special keen concern for the "underdog" and helped wherever she could.
She is survived by her children; Gerald (Sheena) Hudson, WI , Janet Johannsen , Cottage Grove, MN, Gordon (Janet), Scottsdale, AZ, Duane, Chisago Lakes, MN, Karen Riley (James) , New Richmond, WI, Kathy Terhark, Amery, WI, Rodney (Nancy) Osceola, WI, Arlen, (Linda) Balsam Lake, WI, Cheryl Volgren (Steve), Balsam Lake, WI, Lynette Lenart (Lloyd) Buffalo, MN and Brian and partner Scott Synstelien of Hurst, TX and their families. She is proud to call 31 people her grandchildren and 54 great-grandchildren, and several great-great- grandchildren.
Also survived by brother- in-law and wife; Gordon and Beverly Anderson of Edgewood, WA, sister-in-law; Marjorie Shortess of Barron, WI, 3 nieces, Barbara Dejarlais, Daena Shortess and Sharon Dunemann, five nephews: Dale, Warren and Wayne Shortess and Charles and James Anderson, and two cousins, Eloise Benyon, and Warren Perkins and a host of relatives on Clarence's side.

She was preceded in death by her father, Melvin Shortess on December 9, 1956, mother, Ruth Shortess on Oct 10, 1981, her husband Clarence on August 14, 2009, sisters: Hazel Shortess, August 28, 1923, Edna Anderson on August 3, 1982 and brother Steven Shortess on July 19, 2005, one daughter-in-law; Janet Peterson on May 4, 2004, two sons-in-law: Frank Johannsen on April 30, 1999 and James Terhark on November 30, 2000.
Lucy passed away on Sunday, September 19, 2010 at the Willow Ridge Health Care Center in Amery, Wisconsin at the age of 93. The family is so grateful for the faithful caregivers and nurses who loved and cared for her the past years. Funeral Services will be at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, September 23, 2010 from the Balsam Lutheran Church in rural Amery with Pastor Matt Saarem officiating. Visitation will be from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday from the Williamson White Funeral Home and 1 hour prior to services at the church on Thursday.