Monica L. Peterson, 81

Monica L. Peterson, 81, passed away on Tuesday, April 19, 2005, at the Kalispell Regional Medical Center in Kalispell.

She was born on June 19, 1923, in Poplar to Clem and Agnes Lockman. Monica received her early education in Poplar, graduating from the Poplar High School.

On July 11, 1942, she married Melvin Peterson, her sweetheart from Poplar, in Santa Anna, Calif. In 1945 the couple moved to Kalispell where they made their permanent home.

Monica was very active as a volunteer at St. Matthew's School and Church. She worked as a cook at the school until 1969. She then worked as a clerk at the Montana State Liquor Store until 1979.

She was a member of the Daughters of Isabelle, the Altar Society and the Flathead Democratic Women's Club.

She loved to garden and taking care of her yard and flowers, and in particular, loved going to the family cabin at Bitterroot Lake. She spent many days there with her children and grandchildren.

Monica was preceded in death by her husband in 2000; and 10 brothers and sisters.

She is survived by two sons, Richard Peterson and wife, Yasuko, and Donald Peterson and wife, Janet, all of Kalispell; two daughters, Rene Paugh and husband, Harvey, of Kalispell, and Dody Claassen and husband, LeRoy, of Great Falls; three grandchildren, Travis Peterson and wife, Melissa, and Justin Paugh, all of Kalispell, and Gail Peterson Frey and husband, Karl, of Hillsboro, Ore.; four great-grandchildren, Chloe Peterson and Ava Peterson of Kalispell, and Zachary and Grace Frey of Hillsboro; one brother, Curly Lockman of Poplar; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Vigil services for Monica Peterson will be held at 7 p.m. Friday, April 22, in the Johnson Mortuary Chapel. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 23, at St. Matthew's Catholic Church with Father Vic Langhans as celebrant. Burial will follow in the Glacier Memorial Gardens.

Johnson Mortuary and Crematory is caring for Monica's family.