Mary K. Peterson

After graduating from Marquette High School, Mary K. went on to receive her nursing degree from St. Luke’s School of Nursing where she specialized in pediatric care. She continued studies at Northern Michigan University, but left nursing to become the director of the Brookridge Children’s Home for emotionally impaired children in Marquette. In early 60’s Mary K. heard the call of God and became a missionary to Malaysia. Upon her returned she attended the University of Pittsburg where she received a masters degree in infant and child development. In 1969 she moved back to Marquette where she helped to start the Alger-Marquette Community Mental Health Center. For nearly 25 years Mary K. was a tireless advocate for children’s rights. She became a trainer, therapist, counselor and specialist in her field. She touched the lives of many infants, children, parents and professionals. She leaves a legacy of broadly understood infant mental health concepts throughout Marquette and across Michigan.

She received many awards and accolades for her work, such as the Care of Our Kids is Essential Award; the Upper Peninsula Children’s Direct Service Award, and the Commitment to the Youth of Alger and Marquette Counties Award. In 1993 she was presented with the very prestigious Selma Fraiberg Award from the Michigan Association for Infant Mental Health for her commitment to infants and children.

Mary K.’s love of Marquette and Lake Superior were always evident in that no matter where she traveled or lived, she kept returning to this area often supporting causes to protect the lakeshore. When she finally purchased a home on the lake it became a place of hospitality open to all so they, too, could look out on the magnificently vast expanse of the lake as well as enjoy Mary K.’s good company. All of us will remember her living in that house beside the lake.

She had an extended family of relations and friends from every walk of life, too numerous to mention but not forgotten. She is now reunited will all her family and friends who preceded her in death: her beloved Annie (Haslitt); her parents, Hjalmar and Ellen (Haslitt) Peterson, her step-mother, Barbara Baird Peterson, three brothers, Paul E. Peterson, Donald B. Peterson and James A. Peterson, and three sisters, Ruth A. (Peterson) Wolfe, Elizabeth and Harriet Peterson.

Survivors include her cousins: Fred (Carolyn) Hume, Mary Sue Kelley, Kristi McCullum and her son, Austin; several nieces and a nephew: Janice Wayward-Peterson, Nancy (Peterson) Allen, Kenny (Pam) Peterson, Kelly (John) Burbidge, Cynthia (Gerry) Miske, and many, many friends that include: Charlotte (Patty) Neibel, Pat Levis, Barbara McIver and members of the McConnell Family.

Friends may call at Messiah Lutheran Church on Tuesday, October 30, beginning at 10 a.m. until the time of service at 11 a.m. Rev. Don Ludemann, pastor, will officiate. A reception will follow in Magnuson Hall. Interment will be made in the Park Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial may be directed to the Messiah Lutheran Church Memorial Fund, 305 W. Magnetic Street, Marquette, MI 49855.

The Swanson-Lundquist Funeral Home is serving the family, where condolences may be expressed online at swansonlundquistfuneral home.com.