Norma Alverta Petersen

On October 17, 2016 Norma Alverta (Foster) Petersen peacefully passed away from complications related to long-term Congestive Heart Failure.  She was born Sept. 27, 1922, in Klaber, Lewis County.  She was the youngest of six children and attended Centralia High school. She lived in the local area all of her 94 years.  She was married to Walter R. Petersen for 56 years at the time of his passing. They lived for a short time in Centralia until the purchase of their farm at the end of the Little Hanaford Valley. There they lived and raised their son, Larry, and daughter, Joyce, until they moved to Van Wormer Street in Centralia. They operated Petersen Lumber and Fuel at that location until 1997. Norma then moved to Stillwaters Estate where she enjoyed living until her relocation to the Colonial Residence. 

 Norma first worked for E & E Donut Shop for about five years, until she took over as business manager and book keeper for her husband’s business, Petersen Lumber and Fuel.  She and her husband joined Oakview Grange in 1947 and then joined Fords Prairie Grange in 1959.  The night they were admitted to Fords Prairie Grange, elections were being held and Norma was nominated for the office of home economics chairwoman.  She won the election and was deeply involved in grange activities throughout her entire life.  She served as home economics chairman, women’s activity chairman, fair booth chairman, overseer, one of the ‘Graces’ and was active in the drill team for degree work. She had helped raise money to remodel the Ford’s Prairie Grange kitchen, started programs for scholarships and raffling quilts and raising money for prizes in several Grange contests. In 1965 she joined the Pomona Grange and served as women’s activities chairman from 1966 to 1986, possibly one of the longest held offices in Pomona. She served as district director from 1970-1973 and held the seventh degree on the national level. She received her Golden Sheave pin in 1997. The Grange and the many members were her surrogate family.

Norma enjoyed sewing, quilting, cooking, canning and baking, and making stuffed toys for her state Grange.  She was an active member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Centralia.

She was preceded in death by her husband Walter Petersen; her parents, Walton and Margaret Foster; her daughter, Joyce Ann (Petersen) (Breitenstein) Kristfelt; half-siblings, Frank Eldon McElfresh; Margaret Ruth (Smith) Cannell; Vernon Allen Smith; and her siblings, Dellis Walthena (Foster) Smith; and Derral Fenton Foster; and her first son-in-law, Bill Douglas Breitenstein.

She is survived by many, including her son, Larry (Sandra) Petersen; grand children, Dale (Mary) Petersen, Nicole (Petersen) Charneski, Veronica (Petersen) Cheverez.  Her daughter, Joyce’s children: Kathryn (Breitenstein) (Todd) Guthrie, Marc (Starla) Breitenstein, Eric (Racheal) Breitenstein-Lee.  Her great grandchildren; Jered Petersen, Kelly Petersen, Meagan Petersen, Lucca Charneski, Gabrielle Guthrie, Tyler Guthrie,  Jacob (Selena) Breitenstein, Jessica Breitenstein and Justin Breitenstein and Jasmine Breitenstein-Lee and Katherine and Chris Nelson; and great great grandchild; Jaden Breitenstein, Darien and Christopher Nelson; and her previous son-in-law, Fred Kristfelt; and numerous nieces, especially her closest one, Nellie Lavendar and nephews.

There will be grave side services held on Friday, October 28th, 2016 at 11:00am at Sunset Memorial Gardens Cemetery followed by a reception at the Ford’s Prairie Grange hall from 1-3pm.  In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the non-profit Colonial Residence in Centralia WA in her name.

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