Dorothy Peterson

Dorothy Peterson, age 92 years of Niles, Michigan died on Wednesday, July 29, 2015 at Brentwood Assisted Living in Niles. The family would like to thank the staff of Brentwood for the comforting care given to their mother during her stay. Dorothy was born September 6, 1922 in South Bend to Stanley and Martha (Borlik) Zmudzinski. On April 19, 1947, in New Carlisle, Indiana, Dorothy married M. Kenneth “Kenny” Peterson, with whom she celebrated their 58th wedding anniversary before his death on September 17, 2005.

Dorothy was a bookkeeper for Associates Investment Company in South Bend before beginning the family business, Peterson Farms, with her husband where she was bookkeeper for over 54 years, using only paper ledgers. She was a longtime member of First Presbyterian Church in Niles. Dorothy possessed a giving nature; volunteering as room mother for her children at Brandywine Schools and at the former Powating Hospital (now Lakeland Health Hospital) in Niles. She was a supporter of the Cass County Fair and was Sewing Leader for the Rosewarne 4-H Club and with her sewing skills was nicknamed,“The Frugal Fashionista.”

Dorothy is survived by her children, Joyce (& Herb) Miller, Gary Peterson, Gail (& Mary Lou) Peterson and Rick (& Nancy) Peterson, all of Niles; 11 grandchildren, Jayna (& Brian) Sobecki, Dennis (& Jamie) Peterson, Alan (& Sarah) Peterson and Jeffrey (& Katie) Peterson, all of Niles, Robby (& Rachel) Peterson of Ionia, Michigan, Ryan (& fiancée Penny Osborn) Peterson of Wellington, Colorado and Natalie (& fiancé Scott Wilkinson) Peterson of Berrien Center, and Beth (& fiancé Nick Powers) Miller of Jacksonville, Florida, Kyle Miller of Huntsville, Ohio, Bradley Miller and Matthew Miller, both of Niles and 10 great-grandchildren, Connor and Carter Sobecki, Triston, Miriam, Louisa, Isabella, Virginia, Phillip, Anna, and Asia Peterson.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband and two brothers, Leo Zmudzinski and John Zmudzinski.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, August 25, 2015 at the First Presbyterian Church in Niles and will be officiated by the Rev. Fran Lane-Lawrence of the church.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 4-7:00 p.m. on Monday, August 24, 2015 at the Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Dorothy may be made to either the First Presbyterian Church, 13 South Fourth Street, Niles, Michigan 49120 or to the Cass County Fair Association, P.O. Box 56, Cassopolis, Michigan 49031.

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