Nelda Clair Sigurdson

Nelda Clair Peterson Sigurdson was born to pioneer parents, Frank and Mary Peterson who homesteaded along the Nooksack River near Ferndale, on May 18, 1922. She shared her home with her cousins, the late Howard and Leslie Bergsma, who were orphaned at ages 5 and 7. Her cousin, Margaret Bergsma Yeoman, moved to Bellingham and now resides in Anacortes, WA. Nelda grew up, and passed away peacefully surrounded by her three children at the homestead farm on October 28, 2013. She attended Central School, Ferndale High School, and the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, WA graduating in 1944 with a 5th year education degree.

During her college days, she was active in the Methodist church, where she served as a member of the national board of education. Later she taught school in Mt. Vernon, Ferndale, Wenatchee, and Blaine. She married John Sigurdson in 1954 and resumed living on the Peterson farm just south of Ferndale. They farmed together in the Nooksack Valley until John passed away in 1974. Nelda rented the farmland, continued to raise their three children and saw to it that they all graduated from college. She is survived by Dr. Alice Sigurdson of Annapolis, MD, Brian and Lynn Sigurdson of Sandy Point, Betty Sigurdson Barney of Ferndale, and two grandchildren, Katie Sigurdson Gann (Justin) of Lake Stevens and Leslie Sigurdson of Bellingham. She was preceded in death by her sister Mary Ellen Lentz of Seattle, WA and survived by a brother, Dr. Frank N. Peterson of Gig Harbor, WA. She passionately participated in the politics of Whatcom County and endeavored to further the best interests of the community. She was very active in independent water associations in the region for over five decades. She served several years as a diking commissioner for the lower Nooksack River, filling her share of sandbags. Nelda firmly believed in a sound educational system and she was elected three times to the Ferndale School board, a total tenure of twelve years. For 20 years, when she was in her 60’s, she taught driver’s education for older drivers at St Joseph’s Hospital in Bellingham and then for the Bellingham Police Department.

This obituary would be incomplete without mentioning some unconventional features of her life. She was an avid fisherwoman from netting hooligans, to casting for salmon along the Nooksack, to digging clams and picking oysters and catching local crab (or relishing those from friends). She was a crack shot in her day and could shoot the eye out of a bird, especially if one was eating her prized pie cherries. While it might be woe to those who trespassed on her land, she met and befriended seemingly random individuals who crossed her path. These included wildlife photographers, birders, pipeline maintenance personnel, beekeepers, all manner of law enforcement, and more. Her oft repeated “Life in the Great Northwest!” was the closing refrain to several long conversations with friends and relatives. In truth one could argue it was partly her life that made the Northwest great. It was her desire to forego a ceremonial service, so aligned with her wishes, a private family graveside gathering was held. A memorial service at a later time is pending; notification of the time and place forthcoming. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Whatcom Hospice, 2800 Douglas Ave, Bellingham, WA, 98225.