Arlene (Ebling) Peterson

Mattie Arlene Peterson “Arlene,” 79-years-old, left this earth and entered into heaven peacefully on Thursday, January 30, 2025 surrounded by family after a massive stroke.

Mom was born February 7, 1945 in Granite City, Illinois, at only 3 ½ pounds and 2 months early, to Carl and Mattie (Fisher) Ebling. She grew up in Granite City and had one brother, Carl “David” Ebling, and two sisters, Clara “Delores” Mead and Rebecca “Becky” Page.

Mom met the love of her life, James “Jim” V. Peterson, in her senior year of high school on a youth group trip in Illinois. Jim was in the military and stationed there. They attended the same church and started dating. They were married that next year on June 13, 1963 – they were married for over 61 years!

Together they raised four children, Lonnie (Marie) Peterson, Lisa (Andy) Sundeen, Larry Peterson, and Lorin Peterson. They have 11 grandchildren, and 7 (almost 8) great-grandchildren. Jonathan, Kaleb, and Noah Peterson – Dr. Keenan (Daniel) Kuckler [Emmy Kuckler], Kristi (Cody) Lux [Emmett, Brooke, and Bridger Lux], Michael (Josie Sheneman) Kruger [Sabrina and Baby Boy Kolter Kruger coming very soon], and Carissa Sundeen [Rylan Sundeen] – Bridget and Stacia Peterson – Karmen (Erik) Holstein [Stiles Holstein] and Zack Pellicore.

Mom loved a lot of things in her life, but nothing more than her Lord and Savior, Dad, her kids, grandkids, great-grandkids, and family! She loved her church and friends and would do anything for anyone. She was all about including and accepting everyone. Mom loved to sew, making many quilts (including with her lady’s group at church) and led Sunday School and Missionettes for years! Mom and Dad picked up and transported a lot of people back and forth to church over the years. She loved to camp, fish and boat with Dad and family. Many summers doing that and great memories made. They also always had a huge garden and, in the winter, made that into an ice-skating rink! As a kid, Mom loved to roller-skate and did so semi-competitively for a while.

Mom and Dad lived in Illinois for a while after their marriage and then, after Dad was discharged from the military, they packed up and moved to Montana where Dad was from. Mom always told people she was a transplant; the only regret she had was that Grandpa and Grandma Ebling lived so far away from us kids growing up! That is why she was always so happy to have all of her kids and grandkids here and so close so that she could attend EVERYTHING!

Preceded in death by her parents, in-laws, two sisters, brother-in-laws, sister-in-laws, daughter-in-law (Tammy Peterson), and granddaughter (Sarah Beth Peterson).

Memorial Services will be Friday, February 7, 2025 (ironically her 80th Birthday), interment at 10:00 am at the Yellowstone National Cemetery in Laurel,  Memorial Services following at 1:00 pm at Arlene's church, Chapel of Hope Assembly of God, in Lockwood/Billings, Montana. A Potluck/Reception following immediately after.

Thank you to all our friends and family for the love, prayers, and support.  A special thank you to the staff at St. Vincent Hospital for making an unimaginable heartbreak a little softer . 

                  Memorial contributions may be made in Arlene's name  to Chapel of Hope Assembly of God in memory of a woman who spent her life serving others.