Emma E. Peterson

Emma E. Peterson, 91, of Benton Harbor, went to meet her Lord & Savior on Thursday, September 22, 2005 at Caretel Inns of Royalton. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 10:00 A.M. Monday at Trinity Lutheran Church, 619 Market St., St. Joseph with Pastor Jon Bendewald officiating. Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery, St. Joseph. Friends may call from 3-5 P.M. Sunday at Kerley-Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Memorials may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church. Those wishing to share a memory or sign the guest book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Mrs. Peterson was born February 18, 1914 in Scottdale, Michigan to William & Amanda (Bauman) Schmidt. Emma was a life-long member of Trinity Lutheran Church, having there been baptized, confirmed, and on November 19, 1938, married to her loving husband and best friend Maynard Peterson. Her never ending patience and peace came from her strong faith in God. Emma will be remembered for her million dollar smile, no matter what she was facing, even up to the end. Emma was an avid sports fan who enjoyed golf and especially the Chicago Cubs. Spending time with her loving family was one of the most precious times of her life. Emma is survived by two daughters-Cheryl (Ivan) Quandt of Wallingford, PA, Marg (Michael) Pecoraro of Benton Harbor; son-in-law Marcus Freudenburg of Benton Harbor, daughter-in-law Carol Peterson of Rising Sun, IN; eight grandchildren-Daniel (Laura) Quandt, Jimmy (Nancy) Quandt, Dana (Doug) Baker, Stacey Peterson, Scott Bachman, Amy Bachman, Toni (Bryan) Scherer, Jamie Pecoraro; seven great-grandchildren-Bryan & Julia Quandt, Lydia, Hannah & Ruth Quandt, Bailey & Kasey Baker; and several nieces & nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Maynard on November 21, 1998, her son Donald Peterson in 1969, her daughter Marilyn Freudenburg in 2002, and two brothers-Albert & Fred Schmidt.