Christie Joann Peterson, widow of Covenant minister Alton Peterson, died July 23 in Spring Valley, California. She was 91.
Christie was born August 23, 1930, to Caleb and Hazel Anderson in Kingsburg, California. After graduating high school, she attended the nursing program at Stanford University. Shortly after her graduation in 1953, she married high school sweetheart Alton Peterson. They began their shared life in Chicago, where Alton finished seminary and Christie worked as the school nurse for North Park College. Together they served churches in South Dakota, New York, Michigan, California, and Oregon.
Christie served not only as a school nurse for college students but later for elementary school children. She worked as a public health nurse in the women’s health arena, including traveling to care for women in a Russian community in the Willamette Valley in Oregon. She also worked for the Evangelical Covenant Church as a Christian education consultant. In their various pastoral callings, Christie brought energy, compassion, openness, and hospitality to jer role of pastor’s wife, sharing God’s love with many throughout her lifetime.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Alton; daughter Marcia; and son Kurt. She is survived by daughter, Sarah Svendsen; son, Daniel Peterson; two grandchildren, and a great- grandson.
A memorial service will be held on September 17 at 10:00 am at Covenant Living at Mt. Miguel. Memorial gifts can be sent to the Evangelical Covenant Church, Retiree Supplemental Benefit Program
8303 W. Higgins Road
Chicago, IL 60631
Peace be to her memory.
