Vada entered the world in Ava, Missouri on February 11, 1930, and passed away on February 24, 2026, in Olympia, WA, at the age of 96. She was born to Frank and Gertrude Peterson, and was a twin with Valta, who passed in infancy. She was one of ten children and was the last surviving sibling, having been preceded in death by Vera, Violet, Curtis, Frank, Phillip, Stanley, Vivian, Valta and Robert.

She grew up in Missouri, lived for a time in Idaho, and made her way to Olympia, where she met John Thomsen, the love of her life, while working at Lee’s Steakhouse. Vada and John married in 1951 and had three children, Ken, Susan and Vivian, raising them on the family dairy farm in Nisqually. She and John were married for 70 years, until his passing in 2021. Vada was proud of her children and encouraged them in their many activities.

Vada was involved in her own activities, as well. She was a member of the Olympia Women’s Elks, Thurston County Dairy Women, Thunderbird Club and St Mark Lutheran Church. She was a member of a bowling team in her younger years and also served as a Cub Scout leader for Ken. She and John enjoyed Grange dances in and around the Olympia area. She loved shopping and was always dressed to the nines.

She and John were avid travelers, touring the states in their motorhome and traveling abroad, visiting many European countries, Scandinavia and New Zealand, as well as Africa. She said her favorite trip was an African Safari.

Together with their family, they hosted 40 years of large picnic gatherings on July 4 and Labor Day at the family barn in Nisqually Valley. She was particularly known for her spaghetti.

Besides her siblings, she was preceded in death by her grandson, Wayde Chambers. She is survived by her children, Ken (Kathy), Susan Miller (Todd) and Vivian Chambers (Jeremy), grandchildren Jessica (Luke), Robert (Abigail), Carissa (Jasper), Tessa and Cody and 6 great-grandchildren. In memory of Vada, we hope The Crawdad Song will live on, as a song she loved to sing to three generations.

Many thanks to her caregivers and Hospice, who made her comfortable in her last days.

A celebration of life will be held on March 29 from 12:00-3:00 at Masonry at the Green, where a lunch buffet will be served. Masonry at the Green is located at Eagles Pride Golf Course, 1529 Mounts Road SW, Dupont, WA.