Zelma Peterson

Zelma was born January 27, 1932 to Louis and Olive (Port) Byars at Fairdale North Dakota. She attended school at Park River County School and Edinburg, ND, graduating in 1949. After a decline in her health, with her daughters by her side, Zelma passed away peacefully December 14, 2023 at the age of 91 years.

She married James “Art” Peterson March 18, 1951.  They made their home in Park River, Glen Ulin, and Minto before settling in Grafton North Dakota. Zelma worked as a bookkeeper for Sears in Grafton until the store closed, and continued bookkeeping for Family-owned Skelly Oil until Art’s health forced him into retirement. Zelma then worked at Lutheran Sunset Home as a cook for 30 years. Her husband passed away in 1999. Zelma continued to live in Grafton. In 2011,  Zelma moved to Park River where she resided until she was hospitalized due to the COVID 2022, not able to recover fully from this illness was then moved into the Park River Good Samaritan Society.

Zelma was very adventurous; from Atlantic to Pacific side of U.S. she went on several trips with her best friend June Almen a memorable one to New York City.  Her most memorable as well as many more was when Zelma was able to go on her DREAM vacation, thanks to a family member, to Europe where she was able to see fields of tulips and windmills in Holland, Paris to see the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre art museum. She enjoyed traveling and sharing her memories with family and friends. Zelma had many wonderful visits with her family, sharing memories of past and present. Zelma was a very beautiful strong woman, with a strong soul, very caring and patient with all who surrounded her, giving love to all who knew her. She enjoyed singing (what a beautiful voice she had), she sang with the choir at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church for many years. Zelma was gifted with talent for painting and drawing; with many paintings to show. Zelma will be greatly missed by all who have had the beauty of knowing her.

Zelma is survived by daughters: Karen Haggerty, Grafton, ND; Cindy (Ron) Passa, West Valley, UT; Deb Hajicek, Park River ND; Kathy Annette, Moorhead, MN; Phyllis Hoverson, Hurricane UT; Mari Beth (George) Marks, Grafton, ND; 11 Grandchildren, 48 great grandchildren, 9 great great grandchildren and many close nieces and nephews.  Zelma was preceded in death by her husband James “Art” Peterson, parents Louis and Olive (Port) Byars, children: Gene, Dennis, Judith and Barbara Lembcke, Grandson Brian Mlcoch, and great granddaughter Trinity Leavitt.   Zelma was the last surviving member of her immediate family of the Port/Byars

Memorial Services will be Friday, December 22, 2023 at 2:00 P.M. at the Tollefson Funeral Home of Grafton.  Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.  Inurnment will be at the Park Center Lutheran Cemetery, Hoople, North Dakota.  Zelma gave to numerous charities, her family wishes to have donations made to one of her favorite charities:  St. Jude, Veterans of War or Paralyzed Veterans.