Melanie Peterson

Melanie Joy Peterson, 65, of Wheaton , MN , passed away Tuesday, November 11, 2008 at the Rosholt Nursing Home after a long, brave battle with Progressive Supranucleur Palsy (PSP).  Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, November 15 at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church , Wheaton , MN with Rev. Tom Olson officiating. Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with a 7:00 p.m. Prayer Service at the Church; also, visitation one hour prior to time of service at the church on Saturday. Interment will be held at 3:00 p.m., Saturday, at St. Paul ’s Lutheran Cemetery , rural Mooreton , North Dakota .

Melanie, daughter of Alvin and Ella (Brechwald) Lundberg, was born December 30, 1942 in Valley City , ND .  Melanie attended elementary school in Valley City and graduated from Valley City High School in 1960.  While growing up, Melanie enjoyed learning to cook and sew from her Mom and fishing and gardening from her Dad.  She also enjoyed working at Bettin’s Flower Shop in Valley City .  Melanie graduated from NDSU in Fargo , ND in 1965 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education.  For two years, Melanie taught Home Economics and Physical Education in Sykeston , ND .  She then taught Home Economics and English in Carrington , ND for two years.

Melanie married the love of her life, Derry Peterson on June 3, 1972 in Valley City , ND .  They lived in Wheaton , MN where Melanie taught Home Economics for 32 years at Wheaton High School .  Melanie was voted “Teacher Of The Year” in 1973.  During her teaching career in Wheaton , “Mrs. P” (as she was known) was the FHA/FLA advisor and she brought many of her students to the National Convention all over the United States .  She was extremely proud of all of her students and their accomplishments!

Melanie welcomed a daughter Staci in November of 1975 and a daughter Stephanie in March of 1979.  Melanie took great joy in “her girls.”  Melanie absolutely loved to sew, cook , spend time at the lake and participate in her Birthday Club outings and Bridge games.  She also devoted much time to her students and her teaching.  She often was found at school helping students with various projects and she was always willing to help those same students and many friends with various sewing projects- all for the charge of some Diet Coke!  Melanie also enjoyed gardening, attending We-Fest, scrapbooking and spending time with her Granddaughter, Abby, who was born in 1993.  In May of 2001, Melanie began a well deserved retirement.  She continued to substitute teach around the area until her disease forced her to slow down.  Under the care of her husband Derry , Melanie began to spend more time completing projects at home, where she completed many memorable gifts for her family.  Melanie entered the Rosholt Nursing Home in early spring of 2006.  She enjoyed the staff that cared for her and loved the various television shows she never watched while she was working!  In July of 2008, she welcomed her second Granddaughter, Ella.  She loved Derry and all of her girls with her whole heart.

Melanie is survived by her husband, Derry, of Wheaton , MN ; daughters Staci Peterson, Alexandria , MN and Stephanie (David) May, Las Vegas , NV .  Two granddaughters, Abby Peterson and Ella May.  One brother, Robert Lundberg, Chesapeake , VA ; two sisters:  Ann (Alf) Modahl, Longmont, CO and Karen (Hector) Johnstone, Palatine , IL .  Two sister-in-laws, Elaine Lundberg, Brandon , SD and Vaughn Dee Wingfield, Cleveland , OH .  She is also survived by many nieces, nephews and friends.

Melanie was preceded in death by her parents, brother Gene Lundberg and her Mother and Father-In-Law, Clarence and Florence Peterson.

Arrangements are entrusted to the care of the Vertin-Munson Funeral Home, Wahpeton, ND. Online Guestbook at www.vertinmunson.com