Lorraine Peterson

Lorraine grew up in Harvey, Illinois as the middle child in a family of five siblings.  After high school, she worked as a bookkeeper, proofreader, and stenographer for the Harvey Tribune newspaper.  During that time, she supported two younger brothers for eight years until they finished high school.  She met her husband, Ed, through her friendship with Ed’s sister, Irene.  After returning from WWII, Ed told Irene to let Lorraine know he would re-enlist in the Navy if she didn’t go on a date with him.  It worked and as Irene said, “Ed ended up with a very devoted, loving partner for life!”  As newlyweds, they took time off to travel throughout the U.S. visiting America’s State parks, before settling down to raise a family.  Together, they gave the greatest gift to their three children - a long marriage with parents who truly loved each other.  Ed used to say they took a part in history: the Great Depression and WWII.  For over 63 years, they lived a quiet life centered on home, family, and pets.  Lorraine loved books and created a culture of reading, giving her children access to a large library filled with books of all kinds - from fiction to reference.  She enjoyed hosting holiday parties where grandchildren remember being welcomed by toys and laughter and created a home away from home for her children and grandchildren.  Lorraine also enjoyed collecting dolls, caring for her cottage garden, writing poetry, quilling, decoupaging, and baking.  While in her 70s and 80s, Lorraine became sole caregiver to Ed requiring great mental fortitude and physical strength.  After that, she used the same level of determination to remain independent, living in her own house with a goal of becoming a Centenarian. She was a cognitive SuperAger who worked crossword puzzles in ink (without the aid of a dictionary) and successfully proofread a dissertation at the age of 95.  It was not unusual to see a newspaper at her house with proofreading marks penciled in.  During the isolation of the pandemic, Lorraine explored her family ancestry that led to her becoming a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution.  Lorraine was a great role model spiritually and had an unwavering faith and took solace in prayer.  She showed her children and grandchildren how to love and live with dignity no matter what trials they face, leaving a powerful legacy that will forever color their perception of the world.

Lorraine is survived by three children: Bruce (Mary) Peterson, James (Paulette) Peterson, and Susan (Kenneth) Stachler; Grandmother of six; John (Donna) Stachler and Katie Stachler; Quinn Peterson and Qaitlin (Ben) Merrit; Brent Peterson and April (Justin) Brown; great grandchildren Jakob and Connor Stachler; Harper and Willow Brown; and Zosia Merrit; many nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her parents: John Frank and Mimia Marquess; two sisters: Arlene Zeilinga and Rose Marie Oft; two brothers: Raymond Marquess and John Marquess; husband Edward Peterson, and grandchildren Brett and Ketura Peterson; and great grandchild Tobias Merrit.

Services will be held directly at Our Lady of Grace Church 3025 Highway Avenue, Highland IN, on Thursday, March 24th, with a visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m. until the time of funeral Mass at 10:30. Burial Holy Cross Cemetery in Calumet City, IL.

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