Dec. 10, 1920 – May 21, 2018

Margaret Laura Peterson, 97, of Niles, died peacefully at 9:45 p.m. Monday, May 21, 2018, at the Cass County Medical Care Facility in Cassopolis, following an extended illness.

She was born on Dec. 10, 1920, in New York City, New York to the Rev. Ralph L. and Laura E. (Laberteaux) Peterson, Sr., and came to Niles in 1927 from Cincinnati, Ohio. She attended the South Bend (Indiana) College of Commerce, and was first employed at the Bendix Corporation in South Bend for several years. In 1947, she came to work in the offices of the Niles Community Schools serving as secretary to the superintendent for 39 years before her retirement in 1986.

Margaret was a volunteer driver for Meals on Wheels, and was instrumental in restoring the Ferry Street School to its original condition so that generations of students would be able to experience the early years of schooling. She knitted hundreds of pairs of mittens which were distributed throughout the school system to be given to students as needed.

Her nieces and nephews will always fondly remember her as “Aunt Margaret.” Many of them hold memories for all the trips she took them on, her homemade pizza, bowls of ice cream topped with chocolate and butterscotch, and learning how to drive with a clutch pedal in her manual transmission car. Aunt Margaret loved each and every niece and nephew unconditionally, and was always available for support and encouragement. She constantly gave of herself, and helped them all in various ways.

She was preceded in death by her parents, and by her brothers and their wives, Ralph L. (Elizabeth) Peterson, Jr., Paul (Sally) Peterson, Charles (Lorraine) Peterson, Ted (Helen) Peterson, and John Peterson.

Surviving family includes 14 nieces and nephews and 20 great-nieces and nephews.

The family of Margaret Peterson will gather privately on Saturday, May 26, 2018, at her grave in Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles to honor her life and share memories. Contributions in memory of Margaret may be made to the Niles District Library, 620 East Main Street, Niles, Michigan 49120; nileslibrary.com in honor of her many contributions to the library, and many hours of reading to children. Arrangements were made at the Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home in Niles, Michigan. Online condolences may be left at:

halbritterwickens.com.