Judith Peterson of Tullahoma died unexpectedly July 2 at age 71.
She worked at the Tennessee Correction Academy until her retirement in 2004 after 20 years of service with the state.
She is preceded in death by her daughter Aili Helms, Tullahoma; father, Lloyd Tytlandsvik and mother, Juanita Snowdon, sister Barbara Jean Ransom; husbands Karl Krohn and Leonard Peterson.
Judy was born in 1941 in Loon Lake, Saskatchewan, Canada on a cattle ranch until her family moved to the Q-Ranch in Alberta. An avid horseback rider, she competed in barrel-racing and was runner-up Rodeo Queen at the Calgary Stampede. In 1970, she co-founded with her Dad the Tennessee Game Farm in Cheatham County which later became home to the Nashville Zoo.
Judith is survived by her two sons, Joe (Pam) Peterson, Joelton; Lee (Cindy) Peterson, Hendersonville; son-in-law, Kenny Helms, Tullahoma; brother, Casey (Debbie) Tytlandsvik, Nashville and three grandchildren, Crystal McDermond, Kyle and Wesley Peterson and several nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, donations are requested for the Aili Helms Mission Scholarship c/o FUMC 208 West Lauderdale Street – Tullahoma TN 37388.
A memorial service is planned for Sunday, July 8 at 2 pm Tullahoma Funeral Home 401 Westside Drive (931) 455-4567.
Tullahoma Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Judith Peterson.