ELAINE’s Obituary Elaine Diane Gibson (Peterson), 68, passed peacefully on November 28, 2018 at home surrounded by family after a hard fight with adenocarcinoma (stomach cancer). Elaine was born on October 22, 1950 in Birch Creek Township at her family home. Elaine was the youngest of four children born to Ted and Pearl Peterson.
She was raised on the family farm in Denham, Minnesota. Elaine loved animals and was active in 4H while growing up. She graduated from Willow River High School, Class of 1968.
Elaine married her childhood sweetheart, James Gibson (Jim) on July 31, 1967. They remained in the Denham area and welcomed five children. After high school, she attended cosmetology school in Duluth.
She farmed with her husband before operating her own business, Gibson Insurance Agency for 12 years in Moose Lake, Minnesota. She loved being an independent insurance agent and helping members of her community. After selling her insurance agency, she became a co-owner of Gibson Construction, and later worked for Bigelow Brothers’ Construction.
She had a real talent for managing businesses, specifically understanding the construction trade. In retirement, she returned to farming with Twin Oaks Beef, as it was an absolute joy for her to be back where her roots began. Elaine was always in the mix in the farm – raking hay, counting calves, driving tractors, vaccinating cows, and caring for her orphaned calves right up until August of 2018 when she became sick.
Elaine was never one for fancy things but rather practical in her pursuits and always wanted to focus on others. She was absolutely selfless in her care for her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Elaine taught her family how to be strong and have courage.
Family was always paramount to Elaine, as demonstrated in the daily care and comfort she provided her mother for 12 years to avoid a nursing home facility. She was always the one taking family pictures, creating and capturing family memories. She loved learning her family genealogy.
Over the years, she enjoyed sewing, reading, cooking, canning, gardening, and putting together puzzles with her family. Elaine loved the outdoors, hunting, both rifle and bow, and fishing. She was an avid deer tracker and taught her children these skills.
Her favorite colors were purple and gold and she loved being a Viking’s fan both on good years and bad. Elaine’s faith remained strong until the end and she was a lifelong member of the Faith Lutheran Church in Denham, Minnesota. Elaine was preceded in death by her daughter, Diana Lynn Gibson, her father, Ted Peterson, her mother Pearl Peterson, her friend and sister-in-law, Linda Gibson, brother-in-law, Mike Nigg, mother-in-law Katherine Gibson, and father-in-law Forrest Gibson.
The loving memories of Elaine will be cherished in the hearts of Jim, her husband of 51 years; son Jamie (Annette) Gibson; daughter Kim Gibson; son Jerry Gibson, daughter Karie Gibson Madsen (Peter); and son Joe Gibson (Sandy); her ten grandchildren, Bethany Gibson, Cody Gibson, Jessica Hiemenz, Amanda Hiemenz, Theodore Gibson, Clarence Gibson, Carter Madsen, Ayden Madsen, Mckenna Madsen, and Caden Durkin; her two great-grandchildren, Michael McGee and Jay Martin, her brothers, Darrell Peterson, Stanley (Bev) Peterson, Warren (Eileen) Peterson, her “sister” and best friend, Kathy (Galen) Neigum, and many, nieces, nephews, cousins, family, friends, and her special grand-dog, Koda. Elaine’s love for her family was of utmost importance and will continue to surround them in her absence. She is already missed beyond measure.
Visitation will be from 5-8 pm Thursday, December 6, 2018 at Hamlin-Hansen-Kosloski Funeral Home, Moose Lake, Minnesota. A Funeral service will be held on Friday, December 7, 2018 at 11 am at Hope Lutheran Church, Moose Lake, Minnesota. There will be a visitation one hour prior to the service at the Hope Lutheran Church.
Burial will be in Faith Lutheran Cemetery, Birch Creek Township. Arrangements by Hamlin-Hansen-Kosloski Funeral Home, Moose Lake, Minnesota.
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