Jerry Peterson August 31, 1933 - May 12, 2017

Jerry Petersen died peacefully on May 12. She was surrounded by family who will miss her deeply. She was born in Salem, Oregon, on August 31,1933. She graduated from the University of Oregon Dental School in 1957 as a dental hygienist. While there she met her husband, Robert Petersen. They married on June 22, 1957 and were looking forward to celebrating 60 years of marriage next month.

Jerry and Robert owned a dental office and practiced together in Cedar Mill, Oregon. Together they had three children: Erick, Kristen, and Kara. They raised them in Cedar Hills, along with many beloved family pets including dogs, cats, horses and a goat!

Jerry loved fishing with her father all over the Northwest.

This sparked her love for fly fishing along the pristine Metolius River banks as an adult.

The family spent many hours camping along the banks of the Metolius and eventually bought a tiny one-room cabin on the river in 1975.

Central Oregon became a hub for family and friends to enjoy hiking, skiing, fishing, horseback riding, campfires, floating the Metolius River, eating ice cream bars on the Camp Sherman Store porch, and a lifetime of memories.

In 1980, Robert sold his dental practice to fulfill their dream of moving permanently to Central Oregon.

They lived in the tiny cabin for a few years and eventually bought a home in Camp Sherman and began a bed and breakfast.

In 1982, Jerry and Robert purchased The Paper Place because Jerry thought it would be fun to have a store in Sisters. Her favorite part of running The Paper Place for 32 years were the customers. Jerry loved catching up with local repeat customers and welcoming first-time visitors with her big smile and ever-present laugh.

Jerry was inspired by the Southwest and Native American artifacts and enjoyed repeated visits to Arizona with Robert.

Jerry always had a passion for gardening. Geraniums were her favorite, growing at every house they lived at over the years. Her patios were always covered with numerous beautiful hanging baskets and big pots overflowing with flowers that attracted the hummingbirds that she and Robert loved.

Jerry is survived by her husband, Robert; children, Erick Petersen, Kristen Newton, and Kara Petersen; grandchildren Jensen, Taya, Mason, Logan, Lydia, and Joshua; and her sister Patsy.

A private family service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations or other offers of support be made to a local charity of your choice, working in and supporting the people and community of Sisters, the town she loved and called home.