The Herald-Times
http://www.heraldtimesonline.com
Agatha "Gay" Jellema Peterson of Montague, Michigan, 93, died peacefully on April 8, 2020. The daughter of William Harry and Frances (Peters) Jellema, she is survived by two sisters, Mary (Ray) Cornell and Trudy (Joseph) Schulze; brother, Jon (Betsy) Jellema; sister-in-law, Mary Ellen (Bill) Miller; five children, William Jon (Patricia) Peterson, Mark Stephen (Dolly) Peterson, Jacquelyn Joyce (Jeffrey) Haroldson, Michael Berend Peterson and Eric John Peterson; 6 grandchildren; 5 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. Gay was preceded in death by her husband John (Jack) Peterson; and by two brothers, Dirk and Bill.
A graduate of Bloomington (Indiana) High School and Calvin College, Gay taught as an elementary teacher for a number of years, including in a one-room school, and later she taught adult education. For each of her children and grandchildren, as well as her relatives and many friends, Gay modeled love, independence, humor, patience and humility. She was a woman who found joy in living, in nature, the outdoors, Lake Michigan. Gay was a great storyteller and fond of embellishment. She was also a lover of animals who taught all her nephews and nieces to ride horses and later taught handicapped students to ride. Gay was a longtime member of LaGrave Avenue Christian Reformed Church.
There will be a private burial, and a Celebration of Life will occur in the LaGrave Chapel this summer. In light of the needs created by Covid-19, the family suggests that Memorial contributions be made to doctorswithoutborders.org .
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