Myrtle Sognora Peterson

MYRTLE S. PETERSON

  (February 13. 1926 - November 20, 2020)

Myrtle S. Peterson (Davidson) was born February 13, 1926 in Nome, North Dakota to Norwegian immigrants, Olaf and Anna Davidson, the youngest of 4 children. She died gracefully of natural causes surrounded by loved ones in her daughter’s home November 20, 2020.

Myrt was a storyteller and shared vivid childhood memories of her life in the Midwest, experience amid the depression, and post WWII. At 15 she moved to the Edgewood area with her family, attended Mountain View Lutheran Church and Sumner High School. As part of the “Hill Girls”
sang in a chorus group where she developed lifetime friendships. She graduated from Pacific Lutheran College and continued to make lasting friendships with her PLC family. Ultimately, she met her husband Oscar Elmer “Pete” Peterson and went on to be a teacher and coach for over 25 years in the Tacoma School District. They were married for 59 years and were blessed with 3 children; Joan, Julie, and Jerry. Together they enjoyed camping, boating, crabbing, skiing, sports, traveling, cruises, holidays, and making family memories at their cabin on Camino Island often including their friends. She enjoyed travels to Norway and proudly shared her Norwegian heritage through visits, song and favorite foods.  

She was a trailblazer for women’s sports in the 70’s and as head coach of Lincoln High School girls’ basketball participated in several state tournaments. She was strong minded and led the crusade towards equal rights for women in athletics. The highlight of her career came after her contest with Garfield in the state tournament when she was named the first woman as Washington’s coach of the year.

Her other interests included owning unique cars. She owned an early model Chevy Impala, Model A, Model T, Motor home and ’69 Firebird convertible. All of which she proudly drove. In addition, she shared her life with 4 special dogs; Little, Uriah, and Jeb (all St. Bernards that were larger than she was) and a Chocolate Lab named Hershel.

After retirement she watched all of her 9 grandchildren to allow her children to maintain their careers in education. Besides caring for them daily, she followed her grandkids through all their sports contests, musical concerts, church programs and graduations/ By doing so continued to instill the importance of faith, family and education. She was delighted to welcome Great Grandchildren; Olivia, Cora, Clair, Rebel and Sloan into the world as well as step grandchildren into the family. She extended her love of family and story-telling to all of her cousins, nieces and nephews and each of their children. Faith, family and education were her priorities, but she will also be remembered for her strength, independent spirit, generosity, her unconditional love and as the anchor of her family.

Proceeded by her parents Olaf and Anna, brother Earl, sisters Agnes and Aleida, their spouses and her husband Pete. Survived by her children Joan Garrett (John) Julie Morgan (John) Jerry Peterson (Denise); grandchildren Matthew, Joel (Jamie), Jordan (Andrea), Micah, and Josh Rayburn (Kayla), Nicole Smargiassi (Michael), Lacey Morgan (Curran), Erin Thatcher (Kurt) Bryan Peterson (Stephanie), Great Grandchildren and extended families.

Thanks to Franciscan Hospice thru these trying times.

A private family service will be held at Tahoma National Cemetery on Friday, December 4th, 2020.

A full celebration of her life will be held this summer for all those who knew her.

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