Adeline Hazel Peterson

Adeline Hazel (Zimpel) Peterson, 90, passed away peacefully on Friday, March 18, 2016, in Meridian, Idaho.

She was born on Oct. 5, 1925, in Princeton, Minn., to George Henry Zimpel and Wilhelmina “Erna” (Kuether) Zimpel. She grew up on the Princeton farm, and at age 9, helped raise her younger siblings after her mother passed away at age 36.

She attended school in Princeton and Little Falls, Minn., and then worked as a typesetter for 3M and a telephone operator with Western Union in Minneapolis, Minn., and in Los Angeles, Calif.

On June 10, 1950, she married ex-U.S. Marine Eugene Allen Peterson in Minneapolis. They moved to Montana where Gene worked for the Great Northern Railroad, (later Burlington Northern) as a station agent. They lived for a short time in Glasgow, Harlem and Snowden, and then for 34 years in Richland. In 1989, they retired to Glasgow where Gene passed away in 1990. Adeline continued to live in Glasgow until 2012 when she moved to Meridian to be near her family.

She and Gene had three children. Steven was born in 1951 in Glasgow, Sally was born in 1953 in Williston, N.D., and Don was born in 1960 in Scobey.

She was a devoted mother and homemaker, and in 1961, she also began to work outside the home as a clerk at the Richland Post Office and as the bookkeeper for Farmer’s Union Oil Co. (later Richland Farm Supply, then Cenex). She also helped form the Richland 4-H Club and Home Demonstration Club and was a member of the Richland American Legion Auxiliary, and also served on the Valley County Election Board.

She was an active member of both the Richland Lutheran Church and the First Lutheran Church in Glasgow. She taught Sunday School and Bible School for 18 years in Richland, served as church treasurer and held the offices of president, vice-president and treasurer in the ALCW (American Lutheran Church Women) in Richland.

At the First Lutheran Church in Glasgow, she served as president, vice president and secretary of WELCA (Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church Association). She was the community chairperson and coordinator of the Fort Peck Cluster Women’s Organization. She was also a member of the Aid Association for Lutherans’ local branch where she served as secretary/treasurer and chairperson.

She volunteered wherever there was a need, and through the Church Visitation Program, she visited the homebound, gave communion and provided rides to appointments. She enjoyed participating in projects for Lutheran World Relief and made many visits to the residents of Valley View Nursing Home.

She enjoyed her involvement with the Glasgow Senior Citizens Club by helping with the Bingo games and pancake breakfasts and the card recycling project. She held numerous offices there, as well as vice president of the Montana State Senior Citizens. She was named as “Glasgow’s Senior Citizen of the Year” in 2000.

She also volunteered at the Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, the Pioneer Museum and Hospital Gift Shop, and she enjoyed keeping up with Gene’s railroad colleagues by being a member of the Railroad Retirees.

She was well known for her hospitality and for hosting many family gatherings. She always included her children’s friends, or anyone in need of a “family,” especially for the holidays. She was also well known for her baking, winning many blue ribbons and “Best of Fair” awards at the Northeast Montana Fair.

She enjoyed fishing, camping, gardening, playing cards, Bingo, Scrabble and traveling throughout the U.S. and Canada with her family and on many bus trips, and she especially enjoyed time spent with her three granddaughters and four great-grandchildren, who all brought much joy to her life.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Gene; and her brother, Wayne Zimpel.

Survivors include her three children, Steven and his wife, Linda, of Meridian, Sally Flowers and her husband, John, of Cranbrook, British Columbia, Canada, and Don of Haltom City, Texas; three granddaughters, Kelly Olson and her husband, Kevin, Jessica Mills and her husband, Mark, and Erin Peterson; four great-grandchildren, Emma, Madeline, Camden and Isaac, all of Meridian/Boise, Idaho; two brothers, Lloyd Zimpel of San Francisco, Calif., and George Zimpel and his wife, Colleen, of St. Paul, Minn.; one sister, Mildred Neubauer, also of St Paul; two sisters-in-law, Cece Tulberg and Pat Zimpel; as well as numerous beloved cousins, nephews and nieces.

She will be dearly missed and lovingly remembered by her family, friends and all who were touched by her warm smile and service to others.

A memorial service was held at the First Lutheran Church, 641 2nd Ave. N. in Glasgow, on Thursday, June 9, at 2 p.m. with Pastor Scott Hedegaard officiating. Internment followed at the Glasgow Highland Cemetery.

If you wish to make a donation in Adeline’s name, please consider the Alzheimers Society and/or the First Lutheran Church of Glasgow. Local arrangements are under the direction of Bell Mortuary of Glasgow. Condolences may be sent to the family at bellmortuarymontana.com.