Obituary of Carol Jean Peterson

It is with much heaviness in our hearts that we announce the passing of Carol Jean Peterson after a short battle with leukemia.

Carol was born on January 19th, 1942 to Harold and Marguerite Nusbaum in Montrose, CO.  One of her teachers (Mr. Hodge) said that Carol “has the potential and could do much more if she would take the initiative and get things started” on a report card. We’d like to think she took his words to heart and did just that.

Shortly after graduating high school she made the move over the Continental Divide and landed in Denver where she lived the rest of her life. She spent her working years as a secretary in a law firm and later on at Xcel Energy where she retired in 2011. She loved to travel, volunteer at the Stock Show, spend time with family and friends, Starbucks coffee, and a good hamburger followed with a bowl of caramel ice cream. Carol faced many challenges throughout her life but approached each one with positivity, humor and a fighting spirit that we will never forget.

She is preceded in death by her parents and her beloved sister Susan (Tom) Messenger. She is survived by her siblings Ellen (Ben) Hopson, Jan (Kent) Hejl, and Brian Nusbaum. Her children Doug Peterson, Bethany Wellbrock, Michelle (Paul) Dawson, and Matthew (Trisha) Peterson. Grandchildren Thomas ‘TJ’, Jayden and Jordyn Wellbrock and her little partner-in-crime Cooper Peterson (we think all crimes were only light misdemeanors but Cooper won’t spill the beans).

An open house celebration of her life will be held on January 20th from 9:30 am to 12:00 pm at the clubhouse at Heritage Todd Creek where she enjoyed many cocktails and even more laughs with friends over the years. Please dress casually and come prepared to drink coffee, eat doughnuts and share your best Carol memories, particularly those memories that her children might be both shocked and tickled to hear. The clubhouse is located at 8455 Heritage Drive in north Thornton.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the lymphoma and leukemia society.