Alma Jane Roggenkamp Peterson of 358 Franklin Street, Watertown passed away in the early afternoon Thursday, February 9, 2017. Alma was the daughter of August Martin and Minnie Barker Roggenkamp, and was born April 12, 1927 in Watertown.
Alma was the youngest of five siblings, joining Helen, William, Grace, and Isabel at the family homestead on South Hamilton Street. She graduated with the 1944 class of Watertown High School and worked at the Flower Memorial Library and, later, as a dental assistant for Dr. Ruderman. On August 2, 1947, Alma married the love of her life, Fred H. Peterson of Brownville, NY. They lived for many years on Arlington Street and in 1967 moved into the former Haas home on Franklin Street, her home for nearly 50 years. Fred H. died November 25, 1991 at their home on Pillar Point.
Alma is survived by six of her seven children; Fred M. Peterson, of Kiawah Island, SC; Thomas H. Peterson (Dennis Laemmermann) of Watertown, NY; Helen P. Willard of Pillar Point, NY; Anne P. Brenon of Brownville, NY; Jennifer P. Wood (Terry Wood) of Lowville, NY; and Theodore A. Peterson (Darcy Griffin) of Philadelphia, NY. Her daughter, Jane “Payne” Peterson, died April 5, 2009 from complications of multiple sclerosis. She was also pre deceased by two sons-in-law, Matthew Brenon in 2012 and Frank Willard in 2013, and by all of her siblings.
Alma is also survived by grandchildren Ioseph Franco Peterson, Amanda Jo Phillips (Craig), Drew Laemmermann and Maureen Laemmermann; Luke, Collin and Meganne Brenon; Ryan, Eli, Anna and Sara Wood; Shane Peterson; and great granddaughter Avery Phillips. Also surviving are a nephew Michael Foley (Susan), niece Patty Gould Rosenburg (Eric), niece Karen Gould West (Rudy), nephew William Roggenkamp (Patti), nephew Robert Peterson (Sue), several grand nephews, grandnieces, great grandnephews and great grandnieces.
Alma was an active member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church for over 80 years, serving as a member of vestry, choir, altar guild and lay ministry. She was also a member of Church Women United. She loved to travel, do crossword and jigsaw puzzles, spend time with her family and friends often playing dominoes and card games. She was a great bowler, active in co-ed and women’s leagues and loved to play and watch golf. She loved to read and shared that joy with her husband and children. She always rooted for her children’s sports teams and was an avid SU basketball fan.
The funeral will be held on Sunday, February 19th at 1:30pm at the Chapel of St. Paul of Trinity Episcopal Church, with Jennifer Kenna officiating. Following the service, her cremains will be placed in the parish columbarium, joining husband Fred, daughter Jane and sisters Helen and Isabel.
Memorial donations may be made to the Chapel of St. Paul or the music ministry of Trinity Episcopal Church, Watertown, NY or to The National Multiple Sclerosis Society, the ALS Association or the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Arrangements are with D.L. Calarco Funeral Home, Inc. Condolences may be made to www.dlcalarco.com.