Bertha Marie "Bitten" Martinsen Petersen, 85, of Durham, formerly of Aberdeen, and Stamford, Conn., died Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2008, in the home she shared with her daughter and grandson.

Mrs. Petersen was born in New York City, N.Y., Aug. 14, 1923, to the late Peter A. and Gudren Martinsen. She was a registered nurse in the U.S. Army during World War II, serving in the Philippines and Japan. She was preceded in death by her husband, Harold Petersen.

Service: 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 19, Our Saviour Lutheran Church, Southern Pines, directed by Boles Funeral Home. Family will receive friends at the home of Joan and Bill Boeger following the service.

Visitation: 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, at the funeral home.

Survivors: a son, Peter Petersen of Wynder, Ga.; daughters, Joan Boeger, of Pinehurst, Alice Petersen, of the home, Carol Brown, of West End, Ellen Amborn, of Carthage, Karen Groff, of Aberdeen; sisters, Alice Martinsen and Elsie Nelson, both of Southern Pines; 19 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren.

Memorials: Our Saviour Lutheran Church, 1517 Luther Way, Southern Pines, North Carolina 28387.