Elaine Doris (Erickson) Peterson Elaine Doris (Erickson) Peterson

Elaine Doris Peterson died peacefully, surrounded by family, Saturday, July 25, 2020, in Arusha, Tanzania, East Africa.

Born in East Chain, Minn., on Nov. 28, 1927, to Julius and Edna Erickson, Elaine grew up helping on the family farm with her brother, Jerry.

After graduating high school in East Chain, she attended two years of college at Gustavus Adolphus College and then two years of Bible school. In college, she met Dean Peterson of Rosholt, S.D., and they were married in 1949. Their shared faith led them to a lifetime of service as Lutheran Missionaries in Tanzania.

After a year of internship in Florida where their first son Daudi was born, they traveled by ship for six weeks to what was then called Tanganyika. Three more children, Rebecca (Bonners Ferry, Idaho), Thad (Tanzania) and Michael (Tanzania) were born in Tanganyika.

Elaine created a warm home and beautiful gardens wherever she lived. She was a partner in all that work required, helping publish theological materials, providing wonderful food and comfortable camping on many safaris and so much more.

Elaine and Dean retired to Bonners Ferry, Idaho, in 1989 and became very active in Trinity Lutheran Church and the community. Elaine enjoyed the quilting group and many other outreach programs, never forgetting her connection to the broader world.

In 2017 Elaine returned to Tanzania to spend the rest of her life with her sons and their families.

She is survived by her brother, Gerald Erickson; four children, Rebecca (husband Steve), Daudi (wife Trude), Thad (wife Robin), and Mike (wife Lisa); 10 grandchildren, and one great-grandson.

She leaves a legacy as a women dedicated to peace, faith and family.

A memorial service will be held sometime next year where her ashes will be placed by Dean’s on Ujamaa Farm in Bonners Ferry.

Memorials can be sent to Lutheran World Relief, P.O. Box 17061, Baltimore, MD 2129-1061.