Audrey Peterman

Although life was not without times of great trial for Audrey Peterman, she was a gracious woman with a courageous spirit coupled with a quiet strength that carried her through the storms of life. She was a devoted mother if ever there was one, and although she treasured caring for her children she just may have argued that being a grandmother was the role of a lifetime. In everything she did Audrey fully embraced each moment, taking nothing for granted throughout her entire lifes journey. Life will never be the same without her here, but the timeless legacy that is deeply rooted in sacrificial and unconditional love will be carried on by those who follow her. Audrey will never be forgotten and forever cherished by her many friends and loved ones. The decade of the 1920s brought us some of the most vibrant days we have ever seen as a nation. This was the peak of Broadway when motion pictures became available in both color and sound while radios were becoming the primary means of communicating the news of the day. It was within this time of discovery that a young couple from Muskegon, Michigan, was pleased to announce the arrival of their baby girl on October 25, 1927. Audrey Kathleen was one of two girls born to her parents, Fred and Geneva (Wiegmink) Kloosterhouse, and she was raised in the family home in downtown Muskegon alongside her sister, Barbara. For the most part Audrey experienced a typical upbringing for her generation. She was a student at Muskegon Public Schools. Both Audrey and her sister were attractive and popular girls with blonde hair, red lipstick, and numerous friends. She played the clarinet while in high school and was also a majorette in the marching band. During her senior year Audrey served as the drum major. She also enjoyed dancing to big band music and spending time at the beach along Lake Michigan. As a family the Kloosterhouses attended Unity Reformed Church, which was where Audrey met her husband, Robert Peterman, whose family also attended services at the same church. In fact, his mother even served as the organist for a time. After graduating from high school Audrey began working for the telephone company downtown Muskegon. Not to be forgotten during her years as a young woman was Audreys blossoming romance with Bob Peterman. After he returned from serving in the Army, he and Audrey began dating and soon fell deeply in love. With a desire to establish a life together, Audrey and Bob were married on February 2, 1951. Not long after becoming a wife she discovered that she was pregnant. Together Audrey and Bob were blessed with three daughters, Sandra, Marsha Mardi, and Amy. The Peterman family moved around a bit for a time, eventually settling in North Muskegon. Audrey was actively involved in her girls lives in a variety of ways. As a family they regularly traveled to visit various family members and friends around the country. Birthdays were a special event in the Peterman family as there were usually birthday dinners at Lakos Restaurant where they could order whatever they wanted. Because Audreys sister, Barb, married Bobs brother, Pete, their two families were very close, and the cousins were basically raised together they were with each other so much. Audrey and Bob provided their girls with a wonderful model of marriage as they balanced each other out in numerous ways, creating a home that was filled with love and understanding. In addition to caring for her family, Audrey kept busy with other things. For several years she worked as a secretary for the physical education department at Muskegon Community College, and once her girls were grown she became the Director of Volunteers at Hackley Hospital. When Audrey first started at the hospital the group of volunteers was very small, but she was an integral part of growing that group into an incredibly large organization that was vital to the heartbeat of the hospital. As the years went by Audrey continued to embrace both the peaks and valleys along her lifes journey. She was overjoyed to become a grandmother, and she loved spending time with her grandchildren as often as she could. It was a bit of a tradition for several years during the week of the Coast Guard Festival in Grand Haven as she and Mardi would load up Mardis children along with some folding chairs and a wagon to spend the day at the festival taking in the parade in the morning and the fireworks at night. Audrey watched her grandchildren after school for a time, too. When they eventually settled in Egelston Township she loved gardening and had quite the array of incredible flowers. Audrey was part of a group of friends, the Rubies, whose name was chosen as they got together for annual girls weekend at a cabin on Ruby Creek. There were numerous priceless memories made as a group through the years. Audrey was also a member of Unity Reformed Church as well as a member and past president of the Woman's Jr. Club. During her sunset years Audrey faced some trials with grace and courage. She and Bob were both deeply saddened with the death of their daughter, Sandra, in 2000. During the days, weeks, and months that followed both Audrey and Bob remained active in the community and with their friends. They loved dancing and continued to make it a point to go out dancing when they could. Health issues began settling in for both Audrey and Bob, and when she began showing early signs on Alzheimers disease Bob took fantastic care of her until lung cancer left him unable. At that point they moved to a nursing home in 2011 where Bob died shortly thereafter. For the past two years Audrey lived in the nursing facility at Brookhaven where she enjoyed regular visits with her daughters and received compassionate care. With a life that spanned times of great change in the world around her, Audrey Peterman was a blessing to countless others who were within her reach. She was a strong willed woman who wasnt afraid to speak her mind, but she also had a heart that beat to love others. The memories Audrey leaves behind will be forever cherished. Audrey K. Peterman died on Tuesday, July 30, 2013. Audreys family includes her daughters, Marsha "Mardi" Hall and Amy L. Peterman, both of Muskegon; grandchildren, Jamison Aaron, Michael, Katherine, Jeffrey, Rebecca, Emily; great grandchildren, Braydon, Logan, Kody, Gabriel, Liam, Audrey, Tara, and Lauren. Audrey was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Robert in 2011; daughter, Sandra Janettzke; and sister, Barbara. Services will be held on Saturday, August 3, 2013, 2:00 p.m. at the Clock Chapel - Muskegon with Rev. Ken Shady officiating. Visit with Audreys family and friends on Friday, 6-8 p.m. at Clock Funeral Home - Muskegon. Memorials can be directed to Brookhaven Medical Care Facility. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to leave a memory or sign the online guest book