Jessie E. Peterson

Jessie Foster Peterson born in Chamberlain, South Dakota, October 24, 1915, died on February 5, 2011. She grew up in Kimball, SD, and when she was in her teens, her family moved to Peshastin, WA. She graduated from Peshastin High School in 1934. Times were hard then, but Jessie always found work. She earned enough to pay her way through secretarial school in Wenatchee. She was packing apples when she met Rex Peterson. They were married on March 5, 1939 in her parents’ home. Jessie and Rex made their home in Peshastin and eventually purchased an apple orchard there. Later, they bought a larger orchard up Yaxon Canyon and moved to Cashmere. While raising children, helping in the orchard, and being a homemaker, Jessie worked outside the home throughout the years. She held many jobs from packing apples, to secretarial work, to working for the U.S. Forest Service. She retired from the Forest Service in 1969. Jessie was a lifelong member of the United Methodist Church. She was a prolific quilter and made sure every one of her daughters and her grandchildren received one of her beautiful quilts. Rex and Jessie spent their retirement years traveling to Arizona in the winter and back to Washington in the spring and summer. She loved square dancing and was an avid card player. Jessie and Rex were also long time volunteers at the Pioneer Village and Museum in Cashmere Hummingbirds were one special joy to them. Their feeders were always kept full. Their eight grandchildren were their other special joy – and they took care of every single one of them at one time or another. They celebrated 68 years of marriage before Rex’s death in 2007 parted them for a while. Jessie is survived by her children Ann Guiberson (Ron) of St. Petersburg, FL, Louise Kenoyer (Ed) and Shirley Smith (Mike) both of Cashmere; eight grandchildren; and nineteen great-grandchildren. The family is very appreciative of the kindness and care given by Avalon Homes. Memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, February 11, 2011 at the Monitor United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Monitor United Methodist building fund. Please express your thoughts and memories on the on line guest book at jonesjonesbetts.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Jones & Jones ~ Betts Funeral Home.

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Jessie E. Peterson

October 24, 1915 - February 5, 2011