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     Barbara “Barbie" Jo Peterson, 62, of Aberdeen, passed away Sunday, May 28, 2017, at her home.

     Her funeral service will be 1:00 p.m., Sunday, June 4, 2017, at Schriver’s Memorial Mortuary and Crematory, 414 5th Avenue NW, Aberdeen, with Pastor Kevin Bergeson, of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, officiating.

     Visitation at the mortuary will be from 11:00 a.m. until the time of the service on Sunday.  

     Burial will take place at Riverside Memorial Park Cemetery in Aberdeen at a later date.

     Barbie Jo was born on April 14, 1955, to Ralph I. and Jean E. (Boyd) Peterson.  She was born a healthy baby.  When Barbie Jo was ten months old, she developed encephalitis that caused severe brain damage.  The acute illness resulted in a life-long profound developmental disability.  Barbie Jo was cared for by her family at home in Aberdeen until she reached the age of seven.  During that time, her mother, Jean, started the School of Hope in Aberdeen, so Barbie Jo and other young children with developmental disabilities would have a place to go to learn and play.  In late 1962, Barbie Jo became a resident of the South Dakota Developmental Center (SDDC) in Redfield, South Dakota.  She transferred to Fairbault State School and Hospital in Minnesota for one year in 1967, when her family moved to Fairmont, Minnesota.  Soon after, Barbie Jo returned to the South Dakota Developmental Center in Redfield when her family moved back to Aberdeen the following year.  She remained a resident of SDDC from 1968 until November 2000, when she moved to Aberdeen and began receiving services at the Adjustment Training Center (now known as Aspire).  Barbie Jo continued to receive services there until the time of her death.  

     Barbie Jo resided in a number of different group homes in the nearly 17 years she spent with her Aspire family.  She was loved by all of the staff and direct support professionals who worked with her over the years.  Barbie Jo had an infectious laugh that truly was contagious.  It was once said that if you were ever in a bad mood, you just needed to spend a little time with Barbie Jo, because it was impossible not to be happy when you were with her.  Her smile and giggles will be missed by everyone who knew her.  

     Barbie Jo is survived by her sisters, Victoria (Mike) Laird of Oskaloosa, IA and Nancy (Joe) Hartung of Aberdeen, SD; her brother, Steve (Jane) Peterson of Fargo, ND; along with many nieces and nephews.  

     Barbie Jo is preceded in death by her parents and grandparents.