Peterson Mārtiņš & Milda

Petersons, Mārtiņš Petersone, Milda Mārtiņš Petersons (b. 1889) and his wife, Milda (b. 1894), lived with their five children in the Ziedkalni khutor in the vicinity of Skulte, Vidzeme. In May 1944, the Petersons hid the 22-year-old Wilhelm Hofman in their home, after he had fled the Kaiserwald camp in Rīga. Hofman knew Petersons from 1940, through his work, and came to their home after wandering around for a long time, appealing to dozens of people, none of whom was prepared to risk his life to help him. The Petersons were the only ones who welcomed Hofman and prepared a hiding place for him in the shed where wood for heating was stored, and an alternative place in the nearby forest, in case the Germans searched the khutor. Every day, one member of the Peterson family would bring Hofman food and drink and remove his waste pail. Sometimes, in quiet periods, Hofman left his hiding place under cover of darkness and went into the yard to stretch his legs and breathe fresh air. When he did, the Petersons would stand guard to make sure no one saw the Jew on their farm. The Petersons risked their lives and that of their children for religious and humanitarian reasons and their belief in the sanctity of human life. Hofman remained with his rescuers until the area was liberated in August 1944, and then returned to Rīga. He maintained friendly ties with the Petersons, always grateful to them for having saved his life. On December 13, 1994, Yad Vashem recognized Mārtiņš and Milda Petersons as Righteous Among the Nations.