Carol Malene (McLaughlin) Peterson, age 93, of Glendive, passed away on Monday, October 16, 2017 at the Glendive Medical Center Extended Care in Glendive.
A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, October 19, 2017 at the Zion Lutheran Church in Glendive with Pastor Will Johnson officiating. Interment will be held in Dawson County Cemetery. Silha Funeral Home of Glendive has been entrusted with the arrangements.
Carol was born on September 24, 1924 in Livingston to Joseph and Laura (Sorenson) McLaughlin. Her father served in the U.S. Army during World War I. He was a signal maintainer for the Northern Pacific Railroad. Shortly after Carol was born, her family moved to Claysoil, located 12 miles east of Helena. Carol’s favorite class was math. She also learned to play piano and played at many community events over the years. Carol loved to spend time at her Grandmother Sorenson’s cattle ranch outside of Bozeman. She had many stories about Mathilda Sorenson’s eight children and many grandchildren helping work that ranch, feeding threshing crews and the new-fangled gas lighting system. Carol attended Helena High School. During her sophomore year, her family moved to Crookston, Minn., where she graduated from high school with the class of 1942. She seriously tried to get into the WACs, but was turned down because she did not weigh 100 pounds. After graduation she worked in the order office at Sears, Roebuck & Company. She also spent many years as the credit manager at Montgomery Ward.
Carol met Clifford Peterson at a supper club. Clifford served in the U.S. Army during World War II and was on leave when they met. During this time, the Japanese surrendered and he did not return to the Army. They were married on October 19, 1946. Their first daughter, Kristine, was born in Crookston just before the family moved to Glendive. Their second daughter, Laurel, was born five years later. Carol worked as a bookkeeper and cashier at Montgomery Ward, Hilger’s Chevrolet and HKT until she retired. She taught both her daughters to play piano and gave them lessons for many years.
Carol loved to entertain and play piano for most of her life. She and Clifford spent many happy evenings square dancing with friends and traveling for dances. She volunteered for Zion Lutheran Church and served as financial secretary for ten years. She also baked thousands of rosettes for the annual lutefisk suppers. She was always generous and smiling to everyone.
She was preceded in death by her parents; and husband, Clifford.
She is survived by her daughters, Kristine Peterson of Wausau, Wis. and Laurel (Daniel) Dassinger of Glendive.
Carol was an amazing mother, confidante, jokester, drill sergeant and cheerleader. She will be missed.
Silha Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.