Bernice Peterson Alexander

Peacefully passed away on August 18, 2022 at INOVA Fairfax Hospital in Falls Church, VA at the age of 92 after a very brief illness.

Pete was born in Pipestone County, Minnesota to Carl August Peterson, II and Hortense Theresa Conrad Peterson on September 14, 1929. She attended country school in District #53 and continued her education at the high school in Pipestone, Minnesota. Pete moved to Washington, DC and then Alexandria, Virginia in her early 20s. Pete was the mother of three daughters. Her marriage to David Alexander ended in divorce.

When Pete’s children were young, the phrase “stay-at-home-mom” didn’t exist. It was usual for women to stay home with the children. But even by the standards of the era, Pete was an exceptional mother. She cared deeply for her family. Pete worked as an Executive Assistant for Don Norman Associates for over 20 years. Pete had a life-long connection to the land through gardening. She also was part of the Potomac River Eagle Watch in the 1990s. Throughout most of her life, Pete maintained a relationship with and provided support to the Lakota Indians in South Dakota. Pete will be sorely missed by all who knew her.

Pete was preceded in death by her parents, brother Carl August Peterson, III, and sisters, Irene Schalow, Dorothy Weets, Myrtle Sass, Eloise Mitchell, Mildred Witte, and Irma Gehrels.

Pete is survived by her sister, Juanita Johnston of Leawood, KS, and daughters Rebecca Alexander of Woodbridge, VA, Emma T. Alexander of Fairfax VA, and Katherine Alexander of Mount Vernon, VA, and two grandchildren, R. Nicole Purgason of Woodbridge, VA and Dr. Alexander McGlothlin of Alexandria, VA.

Services will be held at 10:30 am on September 17, 2022, at Calvary Road Baptist Church, 6811 Beulah Street, Alexandria, VA 22310 with Pastor David Rhodenhizer officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: BBFI Missions, Attention: Ed Bausell, P.O. Box 191, Springfield, MO 65801, ed.bausell@bbfimissions.org.

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