Lisa Marie Petersen, 41

Lisa Marie Petersen, 41, passed away in Kalispell on Oct. 14, 2011, after a courageous two-year battle with oral cancer.

Lisa was born June 16, 1970, in Kalispell.

She graduated from Flathead High School and went on to complete her bachelor's degree in social work at the University of Montana in Missoula. She then moved to the Seattle area and worked in the mental health field. She returned to Montana to complete her master's degree at the University of Montana. She then returned to Kalispell and worked for Western Montana Mental Heath as a therapist, a much-loved job.

Lisa was known for her up-front honesty and opinions, extreme love of water, hunting, fishing and her cats.

She was a loyal daughter, sister and friend to those around her, often hosting backyard barbecues.

She was preceded in death by her much-adored brother, Dustin, in 2004.

Lisa is survived by her parents, Donald and Agnes Petersen; close friends, Terry Sharp and Tom Minshall; best friend, Shawna Price; and close-knit buddies from the "Cow."

Lisa lived life to the fullest, as best she could, in spite of her illness. She was also an eye donor and spoke at two organ donor ceremonies in honor of her brother.

The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the WINGS Foundation, to whom we will be forever grateful, for helping us with out-of-town travel expenses for her many surgeries.

A celebration of life service for Lisa will be held at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 18, at the Church of the Nazarene in Kalispell.

Friends are encouraged to visit www.buffalohillfh.com to leave notes of condolence and support for the family. Buffalo Hill Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for the family.