Ellen Peterson
December 16, 1909 – April 10, 2008
Ellen Peterson, age 98, longtime resident of Wolf Point, MT passed away Thursday, April 10, 2008 at the McCone County Nursing home in Circle, MT.
Olga Ellen Victoria Applegren was born December 16, 1909 in Winthrop, Minnesota the daughter of Gustaf and Amanda (Setterman) Applegren. At the age of 5 her family moved to Wolf Point in March of 1915. (Her father Gustaf Applegren had worked on the construction of the Great Northern Railroad in the 1880’s. It was during that experience that he decided he would someday move to the plains of Montana. After a career as a jeweler, followed by 12 years as a farmer, the farm was sold and soon after the family moved to Montana.) As a child, Ellen enjoyed the life of an active homesteading family. Their living close to Wolf Point made homesteading life easier and enabled them to establish the first dairy that served the area. She graduated from Wolf Point High School in 1927.
In 1928 Ellen began her college studies at Valley City, North Dakota where she earned her teaching credentials. Shortly after graduation she began her lifelong teaching career. She was passionate about her work and many times was called on to fill temporary or permanent positions on a moment’s notice. She preferred country schools where she was able to be more involved with the students and their families. She also worked for several years at the state level in Helena, MT as the Assistant Supervisor of Special Education. At her encouragement several friends and relatives chose to enter the teaching profession.
Ellen was a lifelong voracious reader which she carefully used to shape her thoughts. She gladly shared her knowledge and opinions even though they may not have been popular. Her interests were wide and her concerns deep. First and foremost she was a very proud teacher. She enjoyed her teaching days at East End Hutterite Colony north of Havre, MT.
Ellen was known and loved by many people. Her counsel was treasured and her comforting nature was enjoyed by friends and relatives. She loved her family and the extended family that was a large part of her life. She enjoyed keeping in touch with them. After many years of research she was able to connect with her Swedish relatives. That connection started many international trips by her to Sweden and her cousins from Sweden traveling here to visit and experience the US.
In 1991 Ellen visited her childhood home and saw the old gigantic tree on the family farm where she swung from as a child.
Ellen was a lifelong member of First Lutheran Church. She remembered bringing lunch to the workers who dug the old church basement. She had been active in her church throughout her life including: Sunday School, Bible School, Confirmation teacher, and superb Bible Study leader. She was district Women’s Mission Federation Leader over a five state area and also helped with three national church mergers.
She was preceded in death by her husband Percy, son Gale, Bernice (Wilhelm) Tollefson (whom she raised as a daughter), siblings Victor, Anna, Agnes, John, and Alma, and great-granddaughter Tera Lynn Archdale.
She is survived by her daughter, Carol (Edward) Stolen of Wolf Point and her three children, Laurie Suppes of Phoenix, AZ, Lyle Stolen of Lewistown, MT and Connie (Rolly) Hankinson of DeBorgia, MT; her daughter-in-law, Beulah Peterson of Wolf Point and her three children, Terry Peterson of Bonner, MT, Jean (Gerald) Archdale of Wolf Point and Brenda (Paul) Schilling of Cut Bank, MT; her great-grandchildren, Melanie, Angela, Melisa, Carrie, Tri, Cindy, Steve, Casey, Austin and Alex.
Other children welcomed by Percy and Ellen Peterson were Jim and Irene Wilhelm of Circle whose children included Larry, Michael, Terry, Connie, Dave and Tim. Dave and Berniece Tollefson of Wolf Point raised Cynthia and Steven. Les and Deniece of California raised Greg, Leslie Ann, and Sharon. Later Les and Dee raised Mike in Texas. All of these children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great-grandchildren have always retained a special place in her heart.
Visitation will be Friday, April 18, 2008 at First Lutheran Church in Wolf Point; from 1:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. Her funeral will be Saturday, April 19, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. at the First Lutheran Church in Wolf Point, with Rev. Greg Holler-Dinsmore officiating. Interment will follow at Greenwood Cemetery.
Memorials may be designated to First Lutheran Church or donor’s choice. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.stevensonandsons.com. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel of Wolf Point has been entrusted with the arrangements.