The funeral service for Miriam A. Peterson, of 1201 Garfield Ave., Albert Lea, will be 10 a.m. Saturday at Thorne Crest North Chapel. The Rev. Clarence Balsley will officiate. Interment will be in the Litchfield Cemetery, Litchfield, Minn. Visitation with her family will be one hour before the service. Bonnerup Funeral Service is in charge of arrangements.

Miriam died Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2003, at Thorne Crest North. She was 97 years old.

Miriam was born Sept. 28, 1905, in Minneapolis to Alfred and Mabel (Gooch) Peterson. Her father was a minister. Miriam graduated from Oak Park High School in 1923 at River Forest, Ill., Denison University, Granville, Ohio, in 1927, Hartford School of Religious Education, Hartford, Conn., 1931-1932 and received her master’s degree in 1939. Miriam worked in various church positions: director of Christian education for Ohio Baptist Conventions from 1944-1946, director of Christian education for Pittsburgh Baptist Association from 1946-1953, Division of Church Education for American Baptist Churches, Valley Forge, Penn., from 1953-1971, then retiring in 1971. Miriam moved to the Twin Cities Area (Richfield, and then Burnsville). She moved to Albert Lea in December 1983.

Miriam is survived by her sister-in-law, LaVonne (Bonnie) Rosenback of New Richland; and four nieces and one nephew.

Miriam was preceded in death by her parents, Alfred and Mabel Peterson; and two brothers: Sidney and Judson.