Ruth Margaret Peterson remembered Ruth M. “Marge” Peterson, 88, Grand Forks, N.D., died Thursday, April 23. Ruth Margaret Higman was born April 3, 1921, to George and Anna (Boyle) Higman in Mercy Hospital, Watertown, N.Y. She attended Augustinian Academy in Carthage, N.Y., where she graduated as valedictorian in 1938. Ruth was the middle child in a family of nine. Though they were separated in distance, they remained close. Ruth attended Watertown School of Commerce and was employed there until WWII. During the war she worked at the Bureau of the Budget in Washington D.C. After WWII she joined the American Red Cross and worked overseas in Germany and Austria. She then had another tour of duty with the ARC on Okinawa where she met Howard M. Peterson who was in Okinawa to open a flight station for the newly formed Northwest Airlines. Upon their return home they were married on May 21, 1949, and made their first home on the island of Shemya which is in the Aleutian Islands. They returned to the States in 1951 when Howard became the station manager for Northwest Airlines in Grand Forks. Ruth was employed at UND in the Engineering Library for sixteen years until her retirement in 1986. Howard preceded her in death on October 28, 2002. Ruthie loved to be outdoors. She enjoyed campfires, cookouts, picnics, ice skating and camping with friends and family. She loved music and was often heard singing while she worked around the house. She was a loyal fan of UND athletics, attending many games in the “Old Barn” at UND. She was an active member of St. Michael’s Church Altar Society, and was awarded the “Diamond Member” award for contributions to St. Mike’s School Bridge Builders Club. For many years she faithfully participated in weekly Adorations through St. Anne’s Chapel to pray for world peace. In addition to many close friends, she is survived by her children, William (Janell) Peterson, Center, ND, Margaret Peterson, Bend, Ore., Michael (Kathleen), Lakeville, Minn., and Nancy (James) Tupa, Grand Forks, N.D.; eight grandchildren and two great grandchildren; a sister, Doris (Ben) Crane, Harrisville, N.Y. and sister-in-law, Lois Gregory, Bismarck, N.D. She was preceded in death by her husband; brothers, Albert, Harold and Robert; sisters, Helen Riley, Kathryn Webb, Georgeanna Riley and Alice Kamide. Memorials: In remembrance of Ruth, memorials may be given to St. Michael’s Bridge Builders, 520 North 6th Street, Grand Forks, ND 58203.