Lorayn Vivian Peterson, age 98, passed away peacefully at her home Thursday, July 16, 2015 with her daughter at her side. She was born September 12, 1916 in Webster, South Dakota to George and Anna Keldsen.
The Keldsens moved to Duluth, Minnesota around 1920. Lorayn graduated from Denfeld High School in 1933. She loved to ballroom dance and met her life partner on the dance floor. They were an exceptional pair. On April 12, 1936, she married Walter C. Peterson of Proctor, Minnesota. Their first 
home was a tar paper shack in Duluth during the Great Depression. In 1952, they moved to Seattle, Washington and started the Walter C. Peterson Construction Company – building first in Normandy Park and later as one of the first builders in the Marine Hills development in Federal Way where they resided since 1957.
She was an independent and competitive spirit. She liked camping and
fishing – when they moved to Seattle, they went to La Push and Sekiu for Salmon. Often Lorayn would catch the big one! She also played golf into her 70’s and often beat the men. When her husband learned to fly, she did too – just in case she had to land the plane. They also enjoyed traveling. Lorayn played in a bowling league, was a good cook, loved to shop, and was an excellent seamstress. She loved her home, gardening and cats, but most of all she 
loved her family.
She lived a long and healthy life – caring for herself until the age of 94. Lorayn was preceded in death by her brother Melvin J. Keldsen of Baldwin Park, CA in 1963, her parents of Duluth, MN in 1973 and 1977, and her husband in 1985. She is survived by her daughter and only child, Donace L. Childs; five grandchildren Steven Childs, 
Darren Childs, Susan Gormley, Bryan and his wife Deb Childs, and Erin Childs; three great grandchildren Alexandra Childs, Jordan Gormley, and Connor Gormley.
Graveside service will be held at Mountain View Cemetery in Auburn, WA on Thursday, July 23rd at 10am, and officiated by Pastor Will Mason of Steel Lake Presbyterian Church. Thank you to Barton Family Funeral Service, and much gratitude to Kline Galland Hospice, Wesley Homes Health Center, and friends for their caring and support for Lorayn and our family.
