Eva Petersen

April 29, 1925 - May 17, 2017

Eva Barbara Petersen aged 92 of Free Soil passed away on Wednesday, May 17, 2017 at her home. Eva was born on April 29, 1925 in Free Soil, the daughter of Bartlomiej and Agatha (Kosowska) Gajeski and was wed to Alfred P. Petersen on September 30, 1944 at St. John Cantius Catholic Church in Free Soil. They celebrated 69 years together before Alfred preceded her in death on June 15, 2014. Eva was also preceded in death by her parents, her son Alfred Petersen Jr., her daughter-in-law Linda Petersen, her son-in-law Ronald Grabowski, her great-grandson Nathanial Woodring, her brothers Adam, Michael, Peter, Joseph, Louis, George, and Raymond Gajeski, and her sister Mary Gajeski. Eva and Alfred were a longtime members of Sacred Heart Church in Victory until it closed, then joined St. John Cantius Church in Free Soil where they were faithful members. As a farmer’s wife, Eva would help Alfred around the farm milking cows, putting up hay, driving tractor, or any task required to help the farm run smoothly. She very much enjoyed reading cookbooks and had quite a collection. Eva also liked to work in her garden, canning the various fruits and vegetables she grew for her family. Eva will be greatly missed by her children Theresa Woodring and husband Richard of Fremont, Paul Petersen Sr. of Free Soil, Helen Grabowski of Manistee, Patrick Petersen and wife Ginni of Ludington, Gerard Petersen and wife Leann also of Free Soil; her grandchildren Christopher (Dawn) Woodring of Canton, Angela (Mark) Chmura of Arizona, Pamela (Stephen) McGarva of Italy, Paul (Christina) Petersen Jr. of Ohio, Michelle (Darren) Sterley of Scottville, Thomas (Sarah) Grabowski of Ludington, and Jonathan G. Petersen of Free Soil; her great-grandchildren Alex, Matthew, and Elizabeth Woodring, Emily, Stephen, and Lillian Chmura, Freyja and Ella McGarva, Traci (Jessie) McIntyre, Mya and Dakota Sterley, and Mathias Grabowski; her great, great, grandson Brayden McIntyre; and her beloved cats Blossom and Grey who rarely left her side. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated for Eva at 11:00 am on Tuesday, May 23rd at St. John Cantius Catholic Church in Free Soil with Rev. Dennis O’Donnell as celebrant. Burial will follow at St. John Cantius Cemetery. Friends may meet with Eva’s family for a time of remembrance on Tuesday morning from 10:00 – 11:00 am at the church. Those who wish to remember Eva with a memorial donation are asked to consider St. John Cantius Church.