Louise Petersen

Myrtle Louise Winn Petersen was born on February 9, 1919 in Heyburn, Idaho, the tenth of thirteen children in the family of George and Charlotte Bennett Winn.  She graduated from Paul High School where she was the captain of the girls’ basketball team her senior year.  On June 12, 1939 she married her high school sweetheart, W. Homer Petersen, and moved with him to their first home in Moscow so he could attend the University.  Louise remained a Vandal fan all her life.

During World War II, while Homer served in the U.S. Navy, Louise did her part working in a defense plant in Los Angeles making small hinges used on airplane wings.  She was our own Rosey the Riveter.  After the war, the family returned to Moscow.  Homer and Louise had three children, Karen, Gayle and Ray. 

Louise dedicated her life to caring for her family and serving in her church and community.  She enjoyed teaching children and young women in her ward and became a Cub Scout Den Leader and was elected President of the Moscow Girl Scout Association.

Louise and Homer loved to dance, bowl and golf together.  They traveled extensively and served a mission in Palmyra, NY for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  After retiring they spent winters in Yuma, AZ enjoying time with their brothers and sisters.  Mother played bridge every Monday afternoon with her dear friends for over forty years.  In her sixties she began taking art lessons and became a talented painter.  Over the years she knitted a cherished Christmas stocking for each family member.  All of her special talents she freely shared with others.

This year we celebrated Louise’s 100th birthday.  Having loved ones around was her best present.  She was able to meet her three great, great grandchildren Emmalynn, Krew and Thoren. Our parents supported all of our activities and taught us by example that we could accomplish anything through desire, hard work, honesty and kindness.

Louise is survived by her children Karen and Ed Whitehead and Ray and Janie Petersen of Moscow and Gayle and Dave Chamberlain of Burns, OR as well as grandchildren and great grand children:

David and Nicole Whitehead, Tayler, Kelsey and Brooke;

 Mark and Annalee Whitehead, Jack, Sam, Will and Lucy;

Gena and Chris Jensen, Sydney, Austin, Devin and Brittany, Mason, Kenna and Kiersten;

Tim and Patty Whitehead, Alex, Colin and Kate;

Michael Chamberlain and Lara Perkins, Samantha; 

Shanna Chamberlain, Ben;

Ezra and Nathaniel Chamberlain;

Brain Petersen and Diana Stuart, Brookelyn and Iris;

Traci and Travis Mooney, Lucas and Lexie;

Scott Petersen and Diana Tran.

She was preceded in death by her husband Homer and grandson Tom Chamberlain.

We wish to express our thanks to her caregivers at Clark Place in Moscow and Bishop Place in Pullman.  Rhonda, Edie, Harold, Cheyanne, Lil and Joyce served her with special love and kindness.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, August 24, 2019 in Moscow at 10 am at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints on the corner of Mt. View Rd. and Joseph St.  In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to a charity of choice.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Louise Petersen, please visit our floral store.