Isabelle McCauley Peterson died peacefully on September 4, 2015, at her home near La Porte. She was born in Chicago on March 28, 1922, to William and Ella (MacKenzie) McCauley. Isabelle shared her keen wit to the very end with family, friends, hospice staff, and angelic caregivers. She eagerly looked forward to her next great adventure.
She met her late husband, Sigurd, at Purdue University, both graduating in 1943. After military service in WWII and Colorado ranch life, they moved to Isabelle’s present home in 1950. Together they raised a family, started a farm and planted trees, and transformed the ruined 1854 house into a gathering place visited by thousands. Isabelle taught at Galena, Lincoln, and Hailmann elementary schools and was a six-decade member of Kitchen Kin. She served as adult education coordinator, elder, and deacon for the First Presbyterian Church.
Artistically gifted, Isabelle drew, painted, beaded, and played creatively with a close group of friends. She was a surrogate grandmother, mother, or sister to many with whom she shared her love and wisdom. She was a community advocate for peace, justice, and marriage equality and promoted the broadening of educational opportunity.
Surviving are Isabelle’s three sons, Barrie (Jo Robbins) of Valley Cottage, NY, Clifford (Lisa Lee) of West Lafayette and Kankakee Township, and Philip (Barbara) of Iowa City; and four grandchildren: John of Santa Monica, Toby of San Francisco, Kara of Chicago, and Lenna (Kevin Paul) of Lafayette.
A gathering of family and friends will be held at Cutler Funeral Home and Cremation Center on Tuesday, September 8, from 4-7 PM. A memorial service will take place at the Presbyterian Church of La Porte on Saturday, October 10, 2015 at 11 AM. Condolences may be shared with the family at www.cutlerfuneralhome.com
Memorial gifts honoring Isabelle’s values and spirit of giving can be made to the Unity Foundation of La Porte County for the Pioneer Scholarship Fund. This fund provides first generation, non-traditional, and minority students the opportunity to pursue their educational dreams. Checks can be sent to the Unity Foundation, P.O. Box 527, Michigan City, IN 46361 or visit http://www.uflc.net/funds.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Isabelle Peterson, please visit our flower store.
She met her late husband, Sigurd, at Purdue University, both graduating in 1943. After military service in WWII and Colorado ranch life, they moved to Isabelle’s present home in 1950. Together they raised a family, started a farm and planted trees, and transformed the ruined 1854 house into a gathering place visited by thousands. Isabelle taught at Galena, Lincoln, and Hailmann elementary schools and was a six-decade member of Kitchen Kin. She served as adult education coordinator, elder, and deacon for the First Presbyterian Church.
Artistically gifted, Isabelle drew, painted, beaded, and played creatively with a close group of friends. She was a surrogate grandmother, mother, or sister to many with whom she shared her love and wisdom. She was a community advocate for peace, justice, and marriage equality and promoted the broadening of educational opportunity.
Surviving are Isabelle’s three sons, Barrie (Jo Robbins) of Valley Cottage, NY, Clifford (Lisa Lee) of West Lafayette and Kankakee Township, and Philip (Barbara) of Iowa City; and four grandchildren: John of Santa Monica, Toby of San Francisco, Kara of Chicago, and Lenna (Kevin Paul) of Lafayette.
A gathering of family and friends will be held at Cutler Funeral Home and Cremation Center on Tuesday, September 8, from 4-7 PM. A memorial service will take place at the Presbyterian Church of La Porte on Saturday, October 10, 2015 at 11 AM. Condolences may be shared with the family at www.cutlerfuneralhome.com
Memorial gifts honoring Isabelle’s values and spirit of giving can be made to the Unity Foundation of La Porte County for the Pioneer Scholarship Fund. This fund provides first generation, non-traditional, and minority students the opportunity to pursue their educational dreams. Checks can be sent to the Unity Foundation, P.O. Box 527, Michigan City, IN 46361 or visit http://www.uflc.net/funds.