Janet Marie Peterson, 85, and a Grays Harbor resident for most of her life, died the morning of Nov. 1, 2022, at Fir Lane Health Center in Shelton, Washington.

Janet was born in Hoquiam, Washington on Oct. 28, 1937, the daughter of Elmer G. Johnson and Julia C. (Sutlevich) Johnson. She attended St. Mary’s Catholic School, Hoquiam Junior High and Hoquiam High School, graduating in 1955.

On March 6, 1957, Janet married Marvin Kenneth Peterson of Aberdeen. He was a former Washington State Trooper for 31 years and preceded Janet in death in 2015. Marvin was commissioned in January 1960 and sent to Wentachee, Washington, where the couple stayed for seven years and started their family. They returned to Grays Harbor in 1968, living in Aberdeen, where they reunited with family.

In Janet’s early career, she worked for attorneys Bob Charette and later for Gladys Phillips as a secretary. Janet changed careers and began working as a para educator and teacher’s aide at Stevens Elementary and McDermoth Elementary, both of Aberdeen, continuing to Hoquiam High School, where she would retire. The kids meant the world to Janet, and Janet to the kids, helping them to be successful in school.

Besides her husband of 58 years, Marvin Peterson, Janet is preceded in death by her son, Gregory Lee Peterson, who died in an automobile accident in 1983 and sister, Shirley (Johnson) Dubers in 1993.

Janet is survived by her sons Marvin D. and Stephen E., both of Montesano; daughter-in-law Joyce of Aberdeen, three daughters: Debra L. of Olympia; Julie A. of Port Angeles, and Christine M., formerly of Hoquiam; brother, Larry Johnson residing in Hoquiam; 10 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren, along with family in California.

Visitation will be Friday, Nov. 11, 2022, beginning at 9 a.m. and will ending at 5 p.m. in the Chapel of Fern Hill Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022 at 10 a.m. located in the Chapel of Fern Hill Funeral Home with graveside following at Fern Hill Cemetery, concluding with a reception at the Dorothy Mann Reception Hall at Fern Hill Funeral Home.

Arrangements are entrusted to Twibell’s Fern Hill Funeral Home in Aberdeen.