Mary Marie Peterson

Funeral services for Mary Peterson, age 86, of Milaca, will be held on Tuesday, January 10, 2012 at 11 AM at Zion Lutheran Church in Milaca with Rev. Stephen Blenkush officiating. Interment will follow at Forest Hill Cemetery in Milaca. Visitation will be from 4 - 7 PM Monday at Peterson-Johnson Funeral Home in Milaca and 1 hour prior to the service at the church on Tuesday. Casketbearers will include Charles Swenson, Joel Habedank, Daniel Abdon Peterson, Benjamin Peterson, Kyle Peterson, Christopher Peterson, Travis Peterson, Anthony Peterson, Jon Peterson and James Kujawa. Honorary casketbearers will include Tonia Stephani, Molly Schultz, Tara Peterson, McKinsey Goodenberger, Katelyn Peterson, Julia Kujawa, Jacob Swenson and Lowell Stephani. Mary Marie Peterson was born September 5, 1925 in McCrae, AR to James and Sally (Tallent) Manning. As a child, she moved with her family to Glenwood Springs, CO and the family later moved to Prescott, AZ. She married Abdon Peterson on March 3, 1945 in Kingman, AZ. After Abdon completed his service in the Air Force, they returned to farm near Milaca, MN where they farmed and raised their family. Mary was an active partner in the family farm, helping to keep the farm cleaned up. She also enjoyed cooking, baking, gardening, sewing and reading. In retirement Mary and Abdon also enjoyed traveling. Mary loved to spend time with her children and grandchildren. She was an active member of the Zion Lutheran Church in Milaca where she served on the Ladies Aide. She died on Friday, January 6, 2012 at Milaca Elim Home. She is survived by her children, Jeanette (Roger) Swenson of Spicer, Abdon Alden Jr. (Sue) of Milaca, Philip (Bobbi) of Milaca, Warren (Lin) of Milaca, Nels (Lynn) of Park Rapids and Laura (James) Kujawa of Park Rapids; 16 grandchildren; 2 great-grandsons; son-in-law, Gary Habedank of Sandstone; brother, Bill (Alice) Manning of Boston, MA; sister-in-law, Joan Manning of Huntsville, AL; also by many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Abdon Sr.; daughter, Sharon Habedank; sisters, Juanita and Virginia and brothers, Frank and James.