Norman Grant Peterson's Obituary
Norman Grant Peterson (94), of Muskegon, formerly of Big Rapids, died peacefully on March 26, 2018 at his residence.
He was born April 19, 1923, in a predominately Swedish neighborhood in Chicago, IL, the beloved older child of Gunnar and Esther (Lindstrand) Peterson. His sister, Ruth, and his parents preceded him in death.
In 1951, Norman married June Een. They moved their growing family from Chicago to Big Rapids in 1957. Leaving family, friends, and familiarity with the big city behind, they started a life in the small, rural town. She predeceased him after 64 years of marriage.
He is survived by his 5 children: Paul (Tamara) Peterson of Little Rock, AR; Diane (Keith) Day of Omaha, NE; Nancy (Don) Damon of Darien, IL; Sue (Keith) Ostoin of Muskegon, MI; and Alice (David) Routley of Big Rapids, MI. He is also survived by 12 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, 2 nieces, a nephew, and a multitude of "kids" from his curriculum at Ferris State College.
Norman spent his childhood and youth in the Chicago area where many of his parents' relatives also resided. Stories of playing with neighborhood friends and cousins frequently peppered his conversations. He attended Trumball Elementary School and Senn High School.
During the depression his family built a cottage on Lake Geneva in Wisconsin. Because of the time spent around the water, he became an avid swimmer and fisherman. Stories of swimming to town or being in the water nearly all day were commonplace.
Swimming was a passion, a constant, in his life right into his '80s. He was on the swim team in High School and at Augustana College where he also taught swimming. He even participated on the alumni swimming competition at Augustana's homecoming when he was in his 70's.
Family vacations frequently involved time on a small lake where Norman could take his young children fishing. His understanding and ability to explain all aspects of fishing, from the different lures to how to prepare and cook them, was fascinating and was yet another avenue of teaching. In his later years he expressed a strong desire to go fishing again on Geneva Lake so his children made this happen when he was 93. Of those fishing that day, Norman caught the most fish as well as the largest.
After High School Norman attended North Park, Jr. College in Chicago but transferred to Augustana where he attained a degree in chemistry. Following college he was commissioned in the U.S. Navy and served as a communications officer during WWII. He often said that being in the military made him love America more.
After separation from the Navy, he began his career at Quaker Oats and by teaching chemistry at Waukegan High School. He realized his career would be better served by further education, and obtained his Master's Degree in chemistry at DePaul University. He spent many years in the paint industry before accepting a position at Ferris Institute as curriculum coordinator of the Industrial Chemistry Technology (ICT) program. He used his background and contacts in research to tailor the program for the needs of industry and worked tirelessly to help his students after graduation. He led the program for 30 years and even after retirement he continued to joyfully provide assistance to his students and the university.
Norman was a member of the Boy Scouts of America for over 30 years as a scout and a leader. He tried to live up to the Scout motto (be prepared) and lead a life as exemplified in their oath, in which God is first, Country second, and self third.
The love of God and church was the cornerstone of Norman's life. For more than 50 years he attended St. Peter's and had several leadership positions, including Sunday School Superintendent and church Elder. He served the church community with visits to shut-ins and spent innumerable hours researching St. Peter's history. Shortly after moving to Muskegon in his late 80's, he worked with a local church to establish a Lutheran worship service in The Oaks, his new senior living community.
He loved to teach, act, sing, and collect. He was a collector all his life. Of what? Cigar bands, baseball cards, stamps, Horatio Alger books, tokens and coins. The thrill of the hunt was a powerful drug and one that he thoroughly enjoyed, spending time at flea markets, auctions and different clubs. His hobbies were vast and in many ways helped to define him. He was a coin collector and a member of the Numismatic Society for the majority of his life. He collected tokens and authored several books about them.
For many years, he wrote a family newsletter for his children, grandchildren, sister, nephew and nieces. He always signed family correspondence with love from dad, brother, Morfar, Farfar, Uncle etc. He wanted to maintain a connection with the new generation and the ones gone and his newsletters frequently included items about his family members no longer with us.
Norman loved to sing! For many years he was a member of and sang with the Great Lakes Chorus of the SPEBSQSA. He sang at most of his children's wedding receptions; always unplanned and unbeknownst to the wedding party. He carried this tradition over to his grandchildren and sang a song at all of their receptions. "Let me call you Sweetheart" was a favorite. During his 80's he participated in Stage M's production of "The Music Man". In addition to singing, he loved having an audience. In honor of his Swedish heritage, he sang the traditional Swedish hymn, "Tryggare Kan Ingen Vara" (Children of the Heavenly Father) at the funerals of his sister and his wife. Singing was a way of life for him and one that was only silenced during his last day on earth.
He never let his physical handicaps prevent him from embracing and accomplishing his goals. Mobility challenged for the last 30 years, neither the need for canes, then a walker, then a scooter slowed him down. He got replacement brakes for his walker covered under warranty; they simply are not built for the kind of mileage he racked up. When he could no longer walk, he would drive his scooter around the outside paths and to visit as many people as possible in the complex where he lived.
During the last several years of her life, Norman was devoted and attentive to his ailing wife. Loneliness set in after her death, so he cultivated friendships with a group and organized a weekly movie night with them in his apartment. He would frequently make a big pot of soup so that he could have visitors for dinner. By the way, the soup was always delicious and inventive using the earth's bounty! He delighted in having company and enjoyed greeting newcomers to The Oaks. Many residents commented that Norman was the first person they met when they moved in.
His grandchildren:
Yasmin Tremper (Steven)
Nathan Peterson
Esther Kendrick (Matthew)
Pete Jefferson (Sara)
Scott Jefferson (Becky)
Kirsten and Eric Damon
Jean Routley-Robinson, Julie Routley, Daniel Routley
Nick Routley (Nicole)
Marcus Routley (Brooklyn)
His great-grandchildren:
Austin and Braiden Peterson
Caleb, Luke, Leah, Sam, Liam and Seth Jefferson
Finley and Harper Robinson
David, Nicholas, Riley Jo, Charlie Jo, Gracelynn, Bristol and Gunnar Routley
His nieces and nephew:
Carol Baum (Mike Miller)
Wendy (Larry) Kellett
Jim Baum
Funeral service for Norman will be 10:00 a.m., Friday, March 30, 2018, at St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Big Rapids. Norman's family will greet friends on Thursday, March 29, 2018, from 4:00 to 7:00 at the Mohnke Funeral Home in Big Rapids as well as one hour prior to the service on Friday.
Memorial contributions may be made in Norman's memory to the Norman G. Peterson Industrial Chemistry Technology Scholarship, to Harbor Hospice Foundation in Muskegon, or to St. Peter's Lutheran Church Scholarship Fund in Big Rapids with envelopes available at the funeral home.
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