Marilyn Pettersen

Marilyn Pettersen passed away peacefully on Tuesday, October 28, 2014. Marilyn was born in 1933 in Wenatchee, Washington to Arla & Gustov Palm. Being an energetic, creative, magnetic and loving "go getter", Marilyn packed at least three lifetimes of learning, adventure, loving and giving into her too short 81 years of life. Marilyn's talents, interests and professional accomplishments were vast. She was a beautiful woman inside as well as out. She was Miss Everett, Miss USS Boxer, and Queen of Everett's first Scandinavian Festival. She also repre-sented Everett at many other festivals such as Wenatchee Apple Blossom Festival, Marysville Straw-berry Festival and Seafair. During high school she was very active in Choir, Art Club and the Rifle Club. She was the National Rifle Association champion shooter from the Everett High School Rifle Club. She received her EHS "letter" from the Rifle Club and was voted most athletic girl in her class. After acquiring her diploma from Everett High School in 1951, graduating with a 3.97 GPA, she entered and completed her four year nursing degree in just three short years. During her nursing education she met and married her husband of 47 years, Peter A. Pettersen. Together they raised five children. She trained, then worked as a nurse at General Hospital; later working at The Everett Clinic as the weekend emergency pediatric nurse, all while raising her children. Once her children got older, she decided to return to school and further her education. She became a nurse practitioner and saw patients at the Everett Clinic for several years before retiring in the late 80's, however, Marilyn was never one to sit in a rocking chair. She began seeking out new adventures, learning and giving opportunities. Skiing was a passion and she ran the local ski bus for nearly 30 years. She volunteered tirelessly for the Assistance League's Operation School Bell, The Providence Hospital Gift Shop and The Battered Women's Shelter Thrift Shop throughout the years. In her 50's she learned to fly an airplane, earning her pilot's license. Marilyn was a very active member of the Everett Golf & Country Club for some 40 years. She very much enjoyed golfing throughout her life, serving as the Women's Club president in her 60's. She was also very involved in the social activities at the club. She arranged and orchestrated parties, costumes and skits over the years. Decorating and creating were her true passions. She painted, sewed, arranged, decorated and created beautiful things her entire life. She saw something beautiful in everything and everyone. Marilyn also loved gardening. She loved working in the yard and in her 70's decided she should become a master gardener and did. Her book club was also very important to her throughout the years and was a voracious reader. She felt blessed and immensely proud of her grandchildren and great grandchild. She had eight grandchildren: Andrew and (Kali) Pettersen, Haylee Pettersen, Tyler Pettersen, Jessica Pettersen, Summer Sullivan, Fischer McFerron, Duncan McFerron, and Regan Westlund; and one great grandchild, Booker Pettersen. She was very active in their lives, attending her grand-children's activities and sporting events religiously. Marilyn was preceded in death by her husband, Peter A. Pettersen and her youngest daughter, Amy S. Sullivan. Her death leaves a hole in the hearts of her surviving siblings: June Elvrom and Bill and (Annie) Palm, and her children; Steve Pettersen and (Jill Cramer), Vickie and (Tim) McFerron, Scott and (Susan) Pettersen, and Pennie and (Mark) Westlund and her grandchildren and great grandchild. Donations can be made in her memory to the Everett Battered Women's Shelter, 1110 Rainer Ave., Everett, WA. 98201, a cause she truly believed in.