Surrounded by family, Dorothy Laca Peterson, 88, died peacefully in her sleep in Corvallis, Ore., on the morning of April 24, 2014.
Born to Pete and Madeliene Laca on the Brown Ranch near Jordan Valley, Ore., on March 21, 1926, Dorothy was the oldest of six daughters. She attended primary school in Jordan Valley. Throughout her high school years, she played piano for dances in Jordan Valley and the surrounding communities. Dorothy graduated from Jordan Valley High School in 1944, valedictorian of her class. Following graduation she attended secretarial school in Boise, Idaho, worked in Boise for several years and taught secretarial classes in Rubens, Idaho High School.
In 1949, Dorothy married Oscar "Pete" Peterson. The couple lived in southeastern Oregon for several years before moving to Bonanza, Ore., in 1957. In 1965, the burgeoning Peterson family moved to Klamath Falls, Ore. Dorothy was an active church member, serving as organist for both St. Barnabus Episcopal Church in Langell Valley and Saint Paul's Episcopal Church in Klamath Falls and later a lay reader.
In addition to raising five children, Dorothy worked for Presbyterian Intercommunity Hospital (later Meryl West Medical Center), initially in admitting and later as a secretary in the surgical unit. Dorothy was active in the community and enjoyed her membership in the American Association of Medical Assistants, the American Business Womens Association and Beta Sigma Phi Sorority.
After her children left home, Dorothy began traveling with three of her beloved sisters. The "Sister Trips" were a much anticipated and enjoyed annual event for Dorothy, who was fun loving and had a great gift for friendship. Dorothy cherished the many friends she met through her years working at the hospital, professional associations and later she and her husband's membership in the Klamath Yacht Club.
Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband, Oscar "Pete" Peterson and by three of her sisters: Patricia Danner, Georgiann Laca and Linda Edmonson. She is survived by her five children; Stacia of Walla Wall, Wash.; Jim (Gloria) of Bellevue, Wash.; John (Kim) of Hayward, Calif.; Bill (Daryl Ann) of Corvallis, Ore.; Kirt (Terry Glickman) of Beaverton, Ore.; seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; her sisters, Mary Lou Minor of McDermitt, Nev. And Virginia Haynes of Gillette, Wyo.
A graveside service will be held at the McDermitt, Nev. Cemetery on May 3 at 11 a.m. A Memorial Service will be held at Saint Paul's Episcopal Church in Klamath Falls, Ore., at a date to later be announced. Donations honoring Dorothy's memory may be made to Saint Paul's Episcopal Church, 801 Jefferson St., Klamath Falls, Ore. 97601. Notes and condolences may be left at www.mchenryfuneralhome.com[[In-content Ad]]
