Frances Louise Peterson

HAMILTON - Frances Louise Peterson passed away Thursday June 9th, 2011 in Hamilton, MT. Frances was born Aug 19, 1916 in the Gravel Store district, Dane Co., WI. She was the oldest child of August and Helen (Singer) Gumble.
Fran was raised in Albion WI., attended the local schools, where she met her future husband Harold Keller. Fran graduated from the University of Wisconsin- Madison in 1937. She taught at Baraboo high school for one year before marrying Harold on June 18, 1938 in the family home in Albion, Dane Co., WI.
Fran and Harold spent the early years of their marriage moving often with Harold's job. They eventually settled in Madison, WI where Harold was the owner of Keller's service station downtown. Fran was widowed August 13, 1960. Having 4 children with 2 still at home, she re-entered the work force. She was employed as a bank teller until her marriage to Dr. Rodney Peterson, on June 24, 1965. Their blended family made for 9 children between them. Fran loved them all, and was the true matriarch of the family.
As well as living most of her life in the Midwest, she loved traveling with Rod and spent many years on the road in their Winnebago. They would often fish up in Canada, and traveled through most all of the US states as well as to exotic places like the Amazon, China, and many other foreign countries.
Her family and friends were most important to her and she spent lots of time visiting with them. Fran also enjoyed playing golf, reading books, going shopping, eating sweet corn, playing with the dogs and cheering for the Green Bay Packers!
Fran and Rod lived in Stoughton WI until Dr. Peterson passed away October 20, 2006. Having a great love for the mountains, she chose to move to Hamilton, MT in December of 2006 to be near her youngest daughter.
Those who are left to mourn her loss are her children: Joan (Denny) Roache, Gail (Azmi) Khazin, of CA. ; Ann (Ross) Damrow, of MT., her step children: Deni (Arnie) Svendsen, of MN.; Mark (Sherri) Peterson, Brett (Christine) Peterson, Shelley (Randy) Glodowski , of WI. ; Jill (James) Hagar, of WA. ; 13 grandchildren, 14 great grand grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husbands, Harold Keller (1914-1960) and Rodney Peterson (1917-2006); her sister Ruth Lavery (1919-2004); and her son James Keller (1947-2009). She will be buried at Roselawn Cemetery in Monona, Dane Co., WI.
Fran's laughter and positive outlook, in even the darkest of times, will be missed. Her grace, humanity, and compassion have been imprinted on all our hearts, and we are better for having had her in our lives.