Rebecca “Dodie” Josephine Wickstrom Peterson, 89, passed away peacefully on Friday, Feb. 24, 2017 at La Verendrye General Hospital in Fort Frances, Ont.
She was born Oct. 7, 1927 in Fort Frances to Alexander John and Leona Mary Helen Armit.
She was enrolled as a member of the Cradle Roll Department of the Knox Presbyterian Sunday School of Fort Frances on May 1, 1928. She was quite proud of that. A certificate was given and is now in Armit history.
She married Gunner Lester John Wickstrom on Sept. 13, 1957.
She worked at the Clinic Pharmacy until she was expecting her daughter, Leesa.
Dodie loved to dance, spend time at the cabin, and drink her beer from a coffee cup, which didn’t fool anyone!
She and John loved to go to Border Bar and dance. John always wanted to get her the job of “The Flower Lady.”
On July 31, 2005, Dodie was at Border Bar dancing to Pat Porter, and she asked Ron (Pete) Peterson to dance. They danced and danced, love blossomed, and they were married on Sept. 2, 2005.
They spent every day together–lots of dancing, hugging, and spending time at “The Chapel” Ron had built because of Dodie showing him one in Emo, Ont.
She also enjoyed spending time with family, going out on the lake, and dancing with Ron wherever she could.
She got a real kick out of her bonus great-grandchildren. She was full of smiles!
Dodie was predeceased by her first husband, John in November, 2003; sister, Elizabeth Helen “Betty” McBride; brother, David Edward Armit; sisters-in-law, Blanche Armit, Delores Wickstrom, Mary Wickstrom, Shirley Wickstrom, Rosalyn Armit, Leslie Armit, and Joy Wickstrom; brothers-in-law, William (Krock) Krukoski, Robert McBride, Ken Wickstrom, and Allan Wickstrom; and great-nieces, Stacy Lynn Armit and Shelley Rae (Kleppe) Lesemann.
Dodie is survived by her husband, Ron “Pete” Peterson; bonus daughters, Ronda (Dan) Spotts and Tracy (Scott) Nuthak; bonus grandchildren, Britney (Anthony) Wolden, Josh (Katy) Nuthak, Heather (Erik Drewes) Nuthak, and Nathan Spotts; and bonus great-grandchildren, Michael Nuthak, Lily Wheeler, Aly Wolden, Piper Jones, and Remi-Lee Drewes.
She also is survived by her brothers, Ray Armit and Dick Armit; sisters, Joan Krukoski and Lynn Armstrong; brother-in-law, Buzzy Wickstrom; as well as numerous nieces and nephews who were very dear to her (niece Carla Larson and her husband, Darren, were very helpful to Dodie and Ron the last few years).
Also surviving are daughter, Leesa (Mike) Schmid; granddaughter, Jessica (Dale) Snell; and great-grandsons, Payton and Vander Snell.
A celebration of life will be held Friday, March 3, 2017 at 5:30 p.m. at the place she loved, the Border Bar in International Falls, Mn.
Pat Porter will be playing so come out and dance in Dodie’s honour.
A memorial and interment will take place at a later date.
Online condolences may be offered at www.greenfuneralhome.com or by calling Ron Peterson.
REBECCA ‘DODIE’ JOSEPHINE WICKSTROM PETERSON
