Lorna Jane Petersen of Eureka passed away peacefully on March 2, 2023 due to complications from Alzheimer’s Disease. She was 88 years old. Lorna was born to Hilmer and Elvina Pederson in Arlington, South Dakota on April 17, 1934. The oldest of five siblings, she grew up playing sports and spending time with her friends and siblings, including her sister and best friend, Bonnie. In sixth grade, Lorna was asked to play on the girls softball team, eventually becoming pitcher while Bonnie played catcher. Lorna and Bonnie also played basketball together, Lorna as a forward, Bonnie as a guard. As a teenager, she won first place in a foot race down main street in Arlington during their hometown celebration.

Lorna married the love of her life, Dennis Petersen, in 1954 in Arlington, South Dakota following his return from serving in the U.S Army during the Korean War from 1952-1953. They were briefly stationed in Tacoma, Washington where they had their first son, Michael, then returned to South Dakota where they took over the running of Dennis’ family’s farm. There, they had 2 more children, Monica and Mitchell. Dennis loved the coast, and in 1962, the family relocated to Humboldt County, California, eventually settling in Eureka. Lorna worked in a number of positions, including as the manager of the Yardage Department at JC Penney, in the cafeteria at Zane Junior High School and at Pat’s Market for a number of years while Dennis ran his own backhoe service. Dennis and Lorna brought their love of farming to the coast, their backyard was always beautifully maintained and they had fruits and vegetables growing year-round. They had a tent trailer and went camping regularly, often at Fish Lake in Orleans and Swimmer’s Delight near Carlotta. Lorna was a fantastic cook and made the most wonderful meals on holidays or special occasions, including her tradition of making Pizza Burgers on Christmas day, a celebration that the family adored and looked forward to every year. Anytime the family was together, Lorna would have everyone stop and gather around so she could take pictures. She enjoyed knitting and sewing and always made blankets for the children in the family. Lorna was a breast cancer survivor who walked in the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life with her daughter, Monica, who was also a cancer survivor.

Following their retirement, Dennis and Lorna bought a lovely log cabin on a ¼ acre lot that had a beautiful view of Campbell Ridge in Willow Creek and sat just above the Trinity River. They continued their love of gardening and grew fruits and vegetables which they enjoyed sharing with friends and family. They enjoyed going on drives to explore the Willow Creek area and learn about the local history. She stayed in close contact with her siblings and was incredibly proud of her children who she always remained in close contact with. She and Dennis also loved to dote on their grandchildren and regularly attended their sporting events and school performances.

In 2012, Dennis’ health began to decline and they moved back to Eureka to be closer to family. They purchased a beautiful home in Cutten set in a redwood grove where they could watch deer and other wildlife from their living room window. Sadly, Dennis passed away in 2014, but Lorna continued living in the home with family visiting frequently. Dennis and Lorna’s grandson, Josiah, attended school nearby, and every Friday, they would walk to her house together. Josiah had always loved his Great Grandparents and he and Lorna became best buddies during their time together, always teasing and joking with each other. Eventually, however, Lorna was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease and required additional care, so moved into an assisted living facility where she continued to have loved ones visit regularly while receiving wonderful care.

Lorna was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, Dennis Petersen, her parents, Hilmer and Elvina Pederson, and her siblings LeRoy Pederson and Geraldine Wiederman. Her granddaughter, Heather Petersen, passed away two weeks after Lorna from breast cancer.

She is survived by her three children, Michael Petersen (Melinda) of Eureka, Monica Caetano (Frank) of Bayside and Mitchell Petersen (Debra) of Corning, Calif. She is also survived by her two siblings, Bonnie Mullet of Goshen, Indiana and Loren Pederson of The Dalles, Oregon. She is also survived by her five Grandchildren, Crystal Hisaw, Nicole Petersen-Log, Michelle Petersen, T.J. Wilson, and Shelby Wilson, as well as six great-grandchildren: Josiah, Daphne, Killian, River, Kianna and Farrah.

The family wishes to thank Lorna’s in-home care provider, Deana Gurney, the exceptional staff atEspecially You Assisted Living and the wonderful folks at Hospice of Humboldt for their kindness and continuous care in her later years. Per Lorna’s request, no celebration of life will be held, but please feel free to share your memories of her at www.lostcoastoutpost.com.

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