Phyllis Peterson

Phyllis (Luczak) Peterson

Phyllis Peterson, 84 of Duluth, passed away peacefully of natural causes on January 24, 2021 at Essentia Health Center. The family would like to thank the doctors and nurses for the compassionate care they provided.

She was the sixth of ten children born at home in Duluth on May 26, 1936 to Anthony ‘Tony’ and Agnus (LaBuda) Luczak. Phyllis graduated from Duluth Central High School in 1955. She was voted ‘wittiest in her class’ along with classmate Lorenzo Music who went on to play Carlton the doorman on the TV show Rhoda. Soon after graduation, Club55 was formed with her enduring high school friends. 65 years later ‘The Club’ continues with surviving members Barbara, Esther, Gerry, Jeannette, Judy, Kay, Marlene and Peggy. She was also a lifelong member of St. Josephat’s Polish National Catholic Church. Faith, family and friends were a priority in her life.

To stay fit Phyllis walked to and from work at the downtown North Shore Bank. While working as a teller and drive-through manager at the bank for forty-five years, she cultivated many meaningful and lasting friendships with her customers. She loved to ski (and never broke a bone). For 25 years, Phyllis skied at Vail with friends, and even had a picture taken with alpine legend Billy Kidd. She also enjoyed bowling weekly on recreational leagues. Time spent with her sisters and big extended family was frequent and fun! Later in life Phyllis cherished her adventures traveling around the world with her longtime friend Casey.

In 1980, Phyllis was married to the love of her life LeRoy ‘Pete’ Peterson. Together they enjoyed camping and family time. Their time together was brief as Pete passed away five years after they were married.

Phyllis is preceded in death by her parents; husband; brothers Chester Luczak, Lenard (Fern) Luczak; sister Lucille (Robert) Zimbeck; brother-in-laws Leo Zelazny, Calvin Bohren; stepmother Stella (Erickson) Luczak; and stepbrothers Donald (Joan) Erickson, Thomas Erickson.

Phyllis is survived by her sisters Vivian ‘Margie’ Thoreson, Audrey (Jerry) Michelizzi, Gerry Bohren, Marie Luczak, Patricia (Donald) Parzych, Bernice ‘Dodo’ Zelazny; sister-in-law Helen Luczak; stepson Gary (Debbie) Peterson; grandchildren Bill Peterson, Joe Peterson; stepsister Leaf Erickson; and numerous beloved nieces, nephews and great-grandchildren.

Phyllis will be deeply missed for her love, prayers, beautiful smile and infectious laugh. A church service by Father John Kutek will be held with immediate family at a later date. The best gift you can give Phyllis now is to send a card indicating how she touched you. Please address to her estate at 4072 Haines Road #120, Duluth, MN 55811.