Bernadette E. Bernie Peterson Estelline, South Dakota Funeral Mass 10:30 A.M., Monday, February 6, 2006 St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church Estelline, South Dakota Rosary Service 4:00 P.M., Sunday, February 5, 2006 St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church Interment St. Francis de Sales Catholic Cemetery Visitation 2PM to 4PM Sunday at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church. Bernadette Elizabeth (Gratz) Peterson, daughter of George and Anna (Linneman) Gratz, was born October 11, 1917 in her parents home on the east edge of Estelline, South Dakota. She received her education in Estelline and was united in marriage to Merle Peterson on May 4, 1938 in Estelline. Six children were born from their marriage, Bobby, Betty, Bonnie, Bohn, Barb and Becky. She lived her life as a wife, mother and farm helper for 41 years until 1979 when they retired and moved into Estelline. During her whole life she was an active member of St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church and the altar society. She also belonged to her birthday club, antique automobile club and loved visiting and playing cards with family and friends. Merle died in 1985 and Bernie continued to live in Estelline and entered the Estelline Nursing and Care Center in 2002. She died on Wednesday, February 1, 2006 at Avera Select Specialty Hospital in Sioux Falls at the age of 88 years, 3 months and 20 days. Grateful for having shared her life are her children, Bonnie Fjerestad and her husband Jim of Brandon, SD, Bohn Peterson and his wife Karola of Estelline, Barb Bullock and her husband Keith of Mesa, AZ and Becky Freeman and her husband Dennis of Green River, WY; 13 grandchildren; seven great grandchildren; two sisters, Loretta Lentz and Mary Ann Norman and her husband Laurence, all of Estelline; three sisters-in-law, Marie Fjerestad of Custer, SD, Adeline Moul of Sioux Falls and Edna Peterson of Estelline; and a host of other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband Merle; two children, Robert (Bobby) in 1957 and Elizabeth (Betty) in 1984; her parents; and four brothers, John, William, Mike and Lawrence.