Death of Ruth Laura Peterson, former missionary to Congo

October 9, 1919 – April 22, 2011

It is with deep sadness that Global Ministries learned of the death of Ruth Laura Peterson, former missionary to Congo. Ruth Laura Peterson died on Friday, April 22, 2011, at the age of 91. Ruth had been living in Waterville, Minnesota. She had formerly lived at Robin Run Retirement Village in Indianapolis and in Nashua, Iowa. She died at the Waseca Medical Center in Waseca, Minnesota.

Ruth was born October 9, 1919, in Charles City, Iowa, the daughter of Byron B. and Doris L. Funk Peterson. She attended Northwest Christian College in Eugene, Oregon, and Gates Business College in Waterloo, Iowa. A minister of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) she served as a missionary in the Democratic Republic of Congo (former Zaire) for 16 years, 1954 through 1970. Ruth served in Congo as an administrator at the Mbandaka church headquarters, and then during 1968-1970 she helped to set up the accounting books for the then new Protestant University of Congo in Kinshasa. She worked for the Lutheran Church in Cedar Rapids and North American Baptist Seminary in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, until retirement. She was a member of First Christian Church in Cedar Falls and Downey Avenue Christian Church in Indianapolis.

Ruth is survived by a brother, Arnold (Ann) of Casa Grande, Arizona, and a sister-in-law. She was preceded in death by a sister, Marion (Claud) Shepard; a brother, Donald; and three nieces. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice or to the donor’s church in Ruth’s name. Messages of condolence may be sent to Ruth’s niece, Arlene Wetzel at 16524 Bay View Lane, Waterville, MN 56096.