Ellen was raised in Turlock, and graduated from Livingston High School. She moved to Oakland in 1941 where she lived until 2011 when she came back to the Turlock area.
She and her husband John Peterson started their own business, which she ran from 1953 – 1999 called Tidewater Sand and Gravel. She is survived by her children Jim Peterson of CA, and Joe Peterson of WA; siblings Muriel Brown, Lila Lohman, Bruce Runner, Jean Bird, Thelma Rhinehart and Wilma Thompson; and grandchildren Daniel Peterson, Kirsten Smyrni, Erik Peterson, John Peterson, Kimberly Peterson and Monica Hunolt. Ellen is preceded in death by her first husband John Peterson and second husband John Seaborn; son William Peterson and grandchildren Chris Peterson and Gust Peterson.
Memorial service will be at Delhi Presbyterian Church on Saturday, September 28, 2013 at 2:30p.m. Private burial will be at Mountain View Cemetery in Oakland.