Mesa,Ariz.-Alice Peterson Erspamer, 83, of Mesa and Hurley, Wis., passed away peacefully August 29 th , 2010, in Mesa surrounded by family and  friends.               Alice was born at home on March 20, 1927, in Montreal, Wis., the daughter of the late Otto Peterson and Emma Morestead Peterson.   She was preceded in death by her parents, as well as her brothers Harold Peterson, Palmer Peterson, Eugene Peterson, Audrey Peterson Johnson, and a sister, Louise, who died in infancy.             Alice was a strong willed woman that friends and family adored.   At sixteen, she graduated early from high school in Hurley, Wis. and took to the war effort working in an armament factory.   After the war, Alice traveled to Jolliet, Illinois and attended nursing school at St. Joseph's Hospital.             After graduation, Alice moved to Phoenix, Ariz., where she worked as an RN at the state hospital, the only registered nurse overseeing 200 patients at a time.   Alice returned to Wisconsin in the late 1940s' to help care for her ailing mother. It was there that she met her husband, Edward H. Erspamer, of Hurley,  who preceded her in death in 2007.             Alice had four children and two grandchildren; all of whom survive her: Rex (Kathy) Erspamer of Yuma, Ariz.; Kurt Erspamer of Madison, Wis.; Gerald (Anita) Erspamer, of Tempe, Ariz., and their children Alyssa and Brett; as well as Maria (Doug Stinson) Erspamer of Mesa, Ariz.             Alice was a long-time volunteer and tireless fundraiser for the Easter Seals of Northern Wisconsin. Her career as an RN and OB Supervisor spanned Illinois, Arizona and Grandview Hospital in Ironwood, Mich.   She retired from St. Luke's Hospital in Tempe, Ariz., where she and Ed made a home in the late 1970s'.             Many will miss her famous chocolate cake, but those closest to her will miss so much more.          Cremation has taken place.        A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday, Oct. 2, at 11 a.m., at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Hurley, with the Rev. Michael Hayden, celebrant.        Rite of Committal and interment will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery, Hurley.        Luncheon will be served in the parish hall immediately upon return from the cemetery.        Relatives and friends may call at the church one hour prior to the Mass on Saturday.        To view Alice's obituary online, sign the guestbook and express condolences, visit mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com.        Arrangements are with McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Ironwood .