Burton, son of Uncle Bill and grandson of Emil Peterson, was one of my mother's (Amy's) favorite cousins. Mom and dad always looked forward to his visits:
The Peterson family was a light to our young family in Muskegon where the Poort kids grew up learning about the importance of our Swedish heritage, all the way back to Minnesota. Uncle Bill and Aunt Myrtle raised some great kids.
Burton was always a friend and gracious to Amy and Henry, Nancy, Dan and Leo. Burton loved the things my dad loved...baseball and music and all things social. They both could talk your 'ears' off and sing in the car all the way there and all the way home. The great music tradition made the trip shorter...no radio or earphones were needed.
Grandma Ellen and Uncle Bill talked in Swedish and sang in Swedish and we knew we were always cherished by family. Burton loved playing in the MHS band and all the benefits of a great music program...I still have the coronet, played first by his sister.
Burton was an 'old soul' with a soft spot in his heart for anything that was family...I think I know why his family already lives Burton's legacy...one of love for others.
Burton's life reminds me, just now, of what it was like growing up in the reformed church and neighborhood we called 'Eastlawn' where, if it took a 'neighborhood' to raise children, we always had loving examples to help us along the way.
Burton was a great product of our little area of East Muskegon.
He is now in even a better place, in my mind...
with Henry and Amy and all the Peterson's.
Amen to a life well lived.
