Obituary of Doris Mae Peterson

Doris Mae (Pipe) Peterson, 89, passed away at Avera Yankton Care Center in Yankton, SD on Saturday October 26, 2013. Memorial services will be at 2:00 pm, Saturday, December 28, 2013 at the Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Chapel, Yankton, with Pastor David Wildermuth officiating. Burial of her cremated remains will be at 12:30 pm at the Yankton Cemetery with Military graveside rites by the Ernest Bowyer VFW Post 791 Honor Guard of Yankton, SD and the SDARNG Honor Guard of Sioux Falls, SD. Visitation will begin at the Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home & Crematory, Yankton, at 1:00 pm with family present. A luncheon will follow the memorial service at the VFW Post # 791 in Yankton, SD. Doris Mae (Pipe) Peterson was born September 19, 1924 in Sioux Falls, SD to Warren W. and Marie H. (Tims) Pipe. She was the youngest of three children. Doris attended school in Sioux Falls and graduated from Washington High School in 1943. She served in United States Coast Guard Women's Reserve (SPARS) from 1944 - 1946. Doris graduated from South Dakota State University in 1949 with a B.S. in Home Economics and later went on to earn her M.A. degree in Secondary Education from the University of South Dakota in 1970. Doris married Gilbert Leighton Peterson on April 4, 1947 in Brookings, SD. To this union was born three children, Peggy (William "Duke") Ellingson, Pam (Matt) Lofton and Ross Peterson. Doris taught Home Economics in Harrisburg, SD (1 year), Wakonda, SD (3 years) and in the Middle School and High School in Yankton, SD (16 years). Doris spearheaded and taught the first home economics classes for boys. She retired in 1979 when she and Gilbert moved to their home on the Missouri River, enjoying years of gardening, canning, traveling, and entertaining many friends. In 1988, Gilbert and Doris moved back to Yankton. After Gilbert passed away in 1995, Doris began pursuing other interests such as traveling, playing bridge and bingo, lunching with friends, watching the Twins and Vikings, and completing daily crosswords. As a lifetime member of the VFW, Doris spent many hours participating in various VFW activities. She was also a lifetime member of South Dakota Education Association-Retired and NARFF. Doris attended Trinity Lutheran Church where she made many friends over the years. Thankful for having shared her life are her daughter Peggy (William "Duke") Ellingson, Yankton and their children Lindsey (Bill) Doctorman, Juneau, AK, Cody Ellingson (partner Tiffany Reynolds), Skagway, AK and Jaimie (Lars) Lawson and sons Malcolm and Kurt, Skagway, AK; daughter Pam (Matt) Lofton, Yankton and her children Gordon "Tad" Larsen (Cassie) and their children Emielia and Gordon Jr., Brown Deer, WI, Daniel Larsen (Julie) and their children Paige and Drake, Sioux Falls, SD. She was preceded in death by her parents, Warren and Marie Pipe, husband Gilbert L. Peterson, son Ross Peterson, Sister Leola (Pipe) Salisbury, and Brother Dale Pipe. Doris's hands were never idle; she was always knitting, cross-stitching or mending. However, her true talent was sewing; she crafted many articles of clothing, from Halloween costumes and doll clothes to prom and wedding dresses. The many articles created by her will be treasured always. Doris will be remembered for not only her many skills, but also for her many friends, both old and new. She was a kind, generous woman who leaves behind a grateful family, many friends and students whom she taught to cook and sew. Memorials are directed to: Avera Sacred Heart Hospice; 501 Summit Street; Yankton, SD 57078; Trinity Lutheran Church; 403 Broadway Ave.; Yankton, SD 57078; or the Ernest-Bowyer VFW Post #791; 209 Cedar Street; Yankton, SD 57078.