Emma Norton Peterson, 86, Vancouver, Washington, formerly of Minot, ND, and Spokane, WA, died of bladder cancer on January 11, 2013, at an adult foster care home in Vancouver, WA.
Emma was born at home on July 16, 1926, near Sanish, ND, to Ivan and Agnes Marie (Harris) Cranmer. She was reared on a homestead near Sanish and attended a country school. As a girl, she enjoyed watching the wild animals that could be seen on the river bottoms where they lived. The construction of Garrison Dam flooded their home so they relocated to New Town.
Emma was once married to Gene Norton. Emma married Robert John Peterson on November 3, 1962. They lived in Minot, ND and Spokane, WA, prior to retiring in Vancouver, WA.
Emma was a member of Christ Lutheran Church in Minot, ND and her hobbies included crafts such as doll making, creating jewelry, doing macram, beadwork, painting, and crocheting afghans. She loved flowers and animals, especially her dogs.
Emma's loving family includes Robert Peterson, her husband of 50 years; children: Sandra (Dean) Sande of Bismarck, ND, and Dwight Peterson of Vancouver, WA; grandchildren: Brent Sande , Havre, MT, Alesha Sande (Keith Dockter), Bismarck, ND, and Monte Norton Jr., Richmond, VA; great- grandchildren: Callie and Coy Dockter of Bismarck, ND: two sisters: her twin Grace (Bill) Hadden of Sheridan, MT and Goldie (Leman) Stewart of Clarkston, WA: half-sister Pat (Tom) Cron, Anaconda, MT: daughter-in-law, Toni Norton, Richmond, VA; in-laws: Alice Kjos, Kenmare, Marlise and Paul Wirtz, Minot, and Florence Thompson, Seattle, WA, and several nieces and nephews.
Emma was preceded in death by her parents, son: Monte Norton, and sister: Mabel Zewick and in-laws: Michael Zewick, Leman Stewart, Art Kjos, Jaye Thompson, Tom Judd, Freda and Gil Melland, Minnie and Alvin Link and Gloria Pope Judd.
Graveside Service: Friday, May 31, 2013, at 2:00 PM in Rosehill Memorial Park - Minot
Visitation: Thursday, May 30, from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM in Thomas Family Funeral Home - Minot.
Memorials are preferred to the Roosevelt Park Zoo or the Souris Valley Animal Shelter.