Obituary of Ella H. Peterson

Peterson, Ella H., 88, of St. Petersburg, died Saturday December 1, 2001 at Westminster Shores Health. She was born in Cedar, Minnesota, in her home, and delivered by her father. She had five brothers and nine sisters. She lived on a farm and went to a one-room school, which consisted of mainly her brothers and sisters. She became a Christian early in life and went to mission school in Minneapolis, MN at Bethany Fellowship. While at Bethany she helped deliver a baby and became known as ?Dr. Peterson.? After her schooling she went back home to care for her ailing mother, and then received a call to the mission field in Liberia, West Africa, with the Worldwide Evangelism Crusade WEC of Fort Washington, PA. While there she saw the need for nurse midwifery, and went to England for her education. She was often called at all hours as the village had no physician and she had to care for all medical needs, often with no medication or equipment. She remained in Liberia with her sister, Marion for 24 years. She then moved to be with family in Corona, CA and then here in 1989. After falling and fracturing a hip in 1997, she moved to Westminster Shores Retirement Center, and often being called ?Angel? by staff and other residents. She will be remembered by her genuine smile, beautiful blue eyes, Swedish heritage and her love for lutefisk! She was a very loving, honest, gentle, caring, warm hearted Child of God, and will be missed by all who knew and loved her. She was a member of Bethel Evangelical Lutheran Church. Survivors include a sister, Marion A. Peterson, St. Petersburg; and many nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, those who wish may make contributions to the WEC International Liberia Field, P.O. Box 1707, Ft. Washington, PA 19034-8709. Anderson-McQueen Funeral Homes & Cremation Tribute Center-McLeod Chapel, St. Petersburg.