MARY LOU (MEYERHOFF) PETERSON

Mary Lou Peterson, 88, longtime Eureka educator and state representative, died Tuesday August 6 at her home in Eureka.  She and her late husband David came first to Warland and later moved to Eureka in 1964 where she and David taught in the grade school and he later served as principle.  May Lou taught until her retirement in 1983.  She was elected to the Montana House of Representatives from House District 1 in 1985 and served until 1991.  She served on the Highways, Natural Resources, Fish and Game and House Appropriations Committees during her tenure. 

Mary Lou was born at Okanogan, Washington on May 5, 1931 to George and Minnie Meyerhoff and was raised and educated there; she went on to receive her bachelor’s degree in education from Eastern Washington University at Cheney and her master’s degree from Eastern Montana University at Billings.  She married David Peterson on June 15, 1952.  Always an active part of numerous community affairs for many years, they moved to their retirement home on Glen Lake in the 1990’s.  She had been an involved member of St. Michaels and All Angels Episcopal Church, the Republican Party and numerous other organizations of the Tobacco Valley.

Her husband David preceded her in death in 2017.  Surviving her sons, Eric and Karl and twins Leonard and Mark; her sister, Mina Jane Meyers, 7 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren.

A private family service with a public reception and celebration of life following will be announced in September.   Memories, tributes and condolences may be made online by visiting www.schnackenbergfh.com.    

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