BEATRICE S. PETERSON

Beatrice S. Peterson died peacefully on Tuesday, August 23, in Burlington after dealing with the effects of dementia for several years. She is now in her heavenly home in a perfect body celebrating with those who have gone before her.

Beatrice, the second of four children, was born on May 3, 1927, in Mount Vernon to John and Elizabeth Staffanson, Swedish immigrants that farmed in the Skagit Valley. She graduated from Burlington-Edison High School in 1945. In 1946, she married Ernest J. Peterson, and they raised their five children on Chuckanut Drive in Bow.

Bea was the ultimate in mothers, sharing her faith in God, cooking, sewing, gardening, canning, PTA member, room mother, friend, and making a welcoming home for her family and friends. She was diligent in teaching her children about life and that you can always do more than you think you can.

When her kids were a little older, Bea went to work for the Burlington-Edison School District as a cook at Westview and Allen elementary schools. There, she mixed up countless cinnamon rolls and bread for all the kids and staff to enjoy. Bea loved to bake goodies and breads of all kinds, especially during the holidays. She also loved hosting family celebrations and serving up a smorgasbord!

Bea often commented to her children that as a child she missed having cousins in the United States. She was very excited when a few moved to the states and when she was able to travel to Sweden to finally meet her many other relatives. She visited there seven times, with her final trip being in 2003, when she went with Ernie and their children to meet their Norwegian and Swedish relatives.

She was always very thankful when she could visit her parents’ village and loved it when any of their relatives from the “old country” would come to visit in their home.

Bea was also a member of Vasa Lodge in Mount Vernon. She and Ernie volunteered for many years making and serving Swedish pancakes! She also enjoyed walking five miles every morning and hiking with a club that took weekly hikes around the area. She was very proud when she received her 500-mile hiking badge.

Bea and Ernie both loved to travel. They wore out two motorhomes and­ traveled to all 50 states and most of the Canadian provinces. They even took some of their Swedish visitors on trips with them in their motorhome. Grandchildren especially remember the camping trips to Thousand Trails, when Grandma Pete would make Swedish pancakes for them until they were bursting at the seams.

Bea is survived by her chil-dren, Doug and Ginger, Nancy and Gary Hoffman, Dan and Koby, all of Bow, Barb and Brad Warfield of Tonasket, and Jeanie and Butch Hertz of Mount Vernon. She is also survived by grandchildren Melissa D’Haene, Ian Peterson, Rebecca Hoffman, Amy Mejia, Richelle Peterson, Erika Novak, Sarah Richey, Amanda Call, Brianna Widen, Kelly Romero, and Kerry Weidenbach, 16 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.

Bea is also survived by her sister Ellen Chain of Redding, California, and her brother Ken Staffanson of La Conner, and numerous cousins, nephews, nieces and friends.

Bea will be dearly missed by her family and friends but surely not forgotten.

Bea was preceded in death by her husband, Ernie Peterson, their infant twins, her brother-in-law Charles Chain, her brother and sister-in-law, Johnny and Joanne Staffanson, and her parents, John and Elizabeth Staffanson. Her sister-in-law Phyllis Staffanson passed away this past week.

The family sincerely appreciat-ed the watchful care by the staff at “Where the Heart Is” and Hospice of the Northwest. Thank you so much for your kindness to our mother!

Viewing will be held at Hulbush Funeral Home, 281 S. Burlington Boulevard, Burling-ton, Washington, on September 11 and 12, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

On Saturday, September 13, graveside services will be held at Bow Cemetery at 1 p.m. and a 2 p.m. Celebration of Life service at Edison Lutheran Church, 14201 Church Road, Bow, Washington, with a reception to follow. Please join the family in wearing purple, Bea’s favorite color!

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, Edison Lutheran Church, or Hospice of the Northwest.