Pauline J. Petersen, 89, passed away at Northern Montana Care Center on Tuesday, October 13, 2020.  Cremation has taken place, and due to the pandemic, memorial services will be held next year.  Pauline's family has suggested memorial donations be made in her memory to First Presbyterian Church, the Montana Order of the Eastern Stars, Hill County 4-H, or the charity of the donor's choice.  Holland & Bonine Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.

Pauline was born on March 21, 1931, in Conrad to Walter and Nina (Yeager) Hammermeister.  She attended schools in Conrad, and after graduation went on to attend college for a year.  On October 22, 1950, Pauline married Merle W. Petersen, and the couple had four children.  They farmed in partnership with his brother and sister-in-law on the family farm east of Brady until Pauline and Merle purchased a farm in the South Fresno area in 1961, which is where they finished raising their children.  Merle passed away in 1996, and Pauline moved to Havre in 1998.

Pauline was a hard-working woman, who cared lovingly for her home and family.  She was very involved in the Brady, Kremlin and Havre communities. While farming and in Havre, Pauline was a long-time 4-H Leader, a member of the First Presbyterian Church, Order of the Eastern Star, the Montana Farmers Union, and as a precinct committeewoman in the Democratic Party.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Merle Petersen; granddaughter, Jamee Vaughn; parents; and brothers Lewis and Walter Hammermeister.

Pauline is survived by her children, Rick (Theresa) Petersen of Havre, Merlene (Roger) Zentzis of Inverness, Karla (Willard) Vaughn of North Havre, and Brad (Pat) Petersen of Kremlin; grandchildren, Joe and Eric Petersen, Nick Herrig, Melissa Sheasley, and Desiree Vaughn; step-grandchildren, Tyler and Jason Kaftan; numerous great-grandchildren; and sister Deloris Burdick.