Lois Peterson, of Middle River, MN, passed peacefully at the Thief River Care Center on Tuesday, February 13, 2024, with her family by her side at the age of 85.
Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 PM on Tuesday, February 20, 2024 at First Lutheran Church in Middle River, MN. Burial will follow at First Lutheran Cemetery in Middle River.
Visitation will be held from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM with a 7:00 PM Prayer Service on Monday, February 19, 2024 at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, MN. Visitation will also take place one hour prior to the funeral service on Tuesday at the church.
Lois’s family would like attendees to wear purple to the service, if they are able, to honor Lois with her favorite color.
Lois Elaine Peterson was born on April 4, 1938, to Nora (Nelson) and Arthur Peterson. She grew up on her family farm near Gatzke, MN. Lois was baptized and confirmed at First Lutheran Church in Middle River. Lois started school in 1942 at the age of 4 in Gatzke where her mother, Nora was a school teacher. She attended high school in Middle River as a Skipper, where she later graduated in 1955. While in high school Lois participated in various activities such as cheerleading, school plays, choir, and the school marching band.
On October 18, 1955 Lois married the love of her life, Floyd “Sonny” Peterson in Brookings, SD. To this union three children were born – Lonni, Lorri, and Robbi.
Although Lois was a farm girl at heart and loved to drive the tractors, combines, etc. she also enjoyed her 40 plus years at the Middle River Tax Office.
Lois was very active in her community. She participated in each of the Nunsense plays at the Middle River Community Theater as well as one musical. She sang in the Cantata for many years and was the First Lutheran Church organist for 30 plus years.
Lois was in a small singing choir with Barb Geer and Lois Anderson. This eventually led to the famous “Lois and Lois” duo. The two sang at many area nursing homes, county fairs, and other social events. Even getting the chance to be the Grand Marshalls for the 2022 Goose Festival.
Lois enjoyed music; it was her lifelong passion. She was a selftaught piano, guitar, and clarinet player. She had a beautiful singing voice that she loved sharing with people. She was an avid flower gardener, her favorite flower being the begonia. Spring and Harvest were her favorite times of the year. Her favorite summer pastime was mowing her lawn. Lois also loved the black dirt after the field had been worked and the start of the seed growing when it would blow in the wind. She loved spending time with her family – especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Lois is survived by her husband of 68 years, Floyd “Sonny” Peterson; children, Lonni (Gretchen) Peterson, Lorri Peterson, and Robbi (Ann) Peterson; grandchildren, Liza Peterson, Mavrik (Audrey) Peterson, Aaron (Heather) Blake, Andrea Blake, Trevor (Anna) Peterson, Tanner Peterson, Tessani (Ethan Johnson) Peterson, Sara (Erik) Magnusson, Nicole and Preston Peterson; great-grandchildren, Corbin Peterson, Lydia Peterson, Morgyn Blake, Hannah Blake, KayLeigh Blake, Anthony Blake, Ada Peterson, Nora Peterson, and Carter Peterson; great great-grandson, Daxton Blake; siblings, Dale “Bud” (Margaret) Peterson and Mike (Elma) Peterson; and several nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives, and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Art and Nora Peterson; grandson, Cody Olafson; sister, Lorna; and twin siblings Laverna and Lyle.
Condolences may be sent at johnsonfuneralservice.com
