Maurice Peterson (1923-2015)
Maurice was the 11th child of Otto and Hulda, born September 20, 1923. He graduated from Grantsburg High School. He married Agnes Olin on October 18, 1948. They had three children: Valerie, Anne, and Rebecca. They were divorced in November of 1976. For most of his life he was employed at Ford dealerships in Minnesota and Wisconsin except for the years spent at the Grantsburg Lumber Yard. He also used to drive the school bus for Grantsburg Integrated Schools and his daughters found it particularly entertaining to have a school bus as a playhouse during the summer months.
On June 4, 1977, he married Joyce Gramer, mother of Glenn and Gary. Maurice’s avocation is music and he spent many years as a member of the Polk County chapter of SPEBSQSA. He considered his options when the director began assigning him more speaking roles and when the risers seemed to be getting higher. He and Joyce still travel to Barbershop “‘doings” in various parts of the country.
Maurice Peterson’s Memories, from 2000
Music has always affected me in many ways. The most profound—after Delroy had been critically ill and most thought he would die—was at the wedding of Sue and Raymond. One of Sue’s brothers, I don’t remember if it was Rick or Steve, led the congregation in “To God Be the Glory, Great Things He Hath Done.” I didn’t sing much. Along with Val, the doxology (especially when Judie tells me after we’ve sung that it doesn’t sound right if I’m not there). On stage at Orchestra Hall along with 350 other men who like to sing, and with that group sing “Give Me Your Tired and Poor” (whatever is written on the Statue of Liberty). And with our small barbershop group from Polk County, watch as we sang “Amazing Grace” in the auditorium at Hazelden and see men of the cloth put their arms and head on the back of seat in front of them—shoulders shaking with sobs as the harmony enhanced the magnitude of the meaning of the words of Hope. Sitting with two daughters on a bed in Annie’s room singing “Haven of Rest” and “Walking in the Light” shortly before she passed on. Watching my grandkids excel in school. Mowing the yard with a sleeping Dustin sitting in my lap with the fist tangled in my sweaty t-shirt to hang on.