Janice Ruth Peterson, age 94, of Whitehall, died on Wednesday, February 20, 2013 in the Grand View Care Center in Blair surrounded by her family and her Grand View Care Center caregivers of many years.

Janice was born on May 25, 1918 in LeRoy, MN to William B. and Ina M. (LeQuat) Duffield. She married Eyvind J.B. Peterson on July 8, 1944 in Blair. Eyvind preceded Janice in death on June 5, 2008.

Janice's 94 years of life had centered around her immediate family, daughters, Nedra and Roberta; Eyvind, her husband of 65 years and her extended family and lifelong friends. Janice loved books, she read voraciously and was an enthusiastic supporter of the Whitehall Public Library. She enjoyed writing and as a young woman, worked for the Blair Press and later in life at the Whitehall Times.

Weekly letters to her grown daughters were routine. Her years were filled with gardening, preserving and canning, cooking and baking bread and goodies, sewing, knitting and crocheting in support of the needs of family and home. Janice was a member of the Duo Decum and with eleven like-minded friends, met monthly for nearly a half century. At the age of 80, Janice happily retired from her daily bookkeeping duties at Peterson Implement. Her doors were always open to family and friends, whether to lend a listening ear or to curl someone's hair. Many topics were discussed and problems solved around the kitchen table.

Janice is survived by two daughters, Nedra (Loren) Hanson of Janesville and Robbie Sommer of Santa Fe, NM; three grandchildren, Christian Sommer of Santa Fe, NM, Kristen (Jeff) Sundlin of Janesville and Laurie (Gary) Clark of Milton, WI; four great-grandchildren, Patrick and Riley Clark, Justin and Jacob Sundlin.

In addition to her parents and husband, Janice was preceded in death by two sisters, Hazel Sjuggerud and Kathleen Knudtson and a brother, William Duffield.

Memorial services will be held on Saturday, February 23, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. in Our Saviour's Lutheran Church with burial in the Lincoln Cemetery both in Whitehall. Pastor Kris Fahey will officiate. Friends may call one hour prior to the service.

Memorials may be designated to the Grand View Care Center in Blair.

The Jack Funeral Home in Whitehall is assisting the family with arrangements