Obituary of Dorothy Petersen

Dorothy Denise (Winslow) Peterson was born August 21, 1910 and passed away on May 17, 2010 in La Junta, Colorado. Her parents were Dan and Maggie Winslow homesteaders at Hay Springs, NE. She had an elder sister Dora and a younger sister Babe all preceding her in death. Some of her early years of schooling were in Boise Idaho where her father worked on a fox farm. The family returned to Hay Springs, NE for Dorothy’s senior year in High School. According to the Hay Springs, NE newspaper Dorothy on the night of May 18, 1928 not only became a high school graduate but became the bride of William C. Petersen who resided in neighboring Rushville, NE. While in Nebraska they had two daughters Dorothy De Lin and Bonnie Rita. The couple struggled during the depression and found it necessary to move to Boulder, CO where William worked digging ditches for the WPA He also worked in the mines in Central City mining coal, silver and gold. Dorothy worked at a hamburger stand on the hill close to Colorado University making one dollar a day. While living in Boulder they had a daughter Margaret Mae and son William Daniel. In the early 40’s the family moved to Deer Trail, CO where they helped William’s mother run the hotel and ran the famous Brown Derby Bar & Café. Later they purchased a small farm and started a dairy, the milking was done by hand not by machines, then bottled the milk delivering it door to door. In the summer of 1948 they sold the farm and moved to Arriba, CO where they purchased the Arriba Pool Hall. This was during the time when families came to town on Saturday bought groceries then went to the Pool Hall to socialize. Dorothy and Pete lived in an apartment which William built at the back of the Pool Hall. It was the days of Juke Boxes a good beer and card games. Dorothy was known as queen of the nickel games at the local station, whenever you entered her home you would hear the sound of shuffling cards, snacks and laughter. She was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Arriba and considered each member one of her own. In 2006 Dorothy realized she needed more care and moved into an assistant care home in La Junta, CO. She spent many hours making new friends, playing cards and games while stories of their lives were told many times. In August of 2009 she entered AVRMC Nursing Home. Preceding her in death were her parents Dan and Margaretha, husband William, daughters; De Lin and Bonnie. Dorothy’s is survived by daughter Margaret and her husband Royce Melia of La Junta, CO, son Bill and his wife Donna Petersen of Rapid City, SD, son-in-law Tony and wife Marilyn Lorince of Arriba, CO. Also surviving are 10 grandchildren, 25 great grandchildren and 8 great great grandchildren. Dorothy will be missed by many family and friends.