Virginia Mae Peterson

Funeral services for Viginia Peterson of Morris, formerly of Hancock, MN, will be held Saturday, December 17, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. at Our Redeemer's Lutheran Church in Hancock, with Reverend Julius Miller officiating. Visitation will be Friday, December 16, 2022 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris and for one hour prior to services at the church. Burial will be at Lakeside Cemetery in Hancock.

Virginia Mae Peterson was born to Rudolph and Myrtle (Natland) Thompson on September 28, 1935 in Benson, Minnesota. She grew up in Camp Lake Township near Swift Falls, Minnesota and attended country school at district #73 until high school, where she would attend in Benson until graduating in 1953. 

After graduation, Virginia worked at both the bank in Pennock and as the clerk of court in Benson. During this time, she met Verlin Peterson at a roller-skating rink and the two were married on June 15, 1957 at Rolling Forks Church in Swift Falls. Together the couple welcomed six children and farmed south of Hancock in Tara Township until Verlin’s unexpected death in 1979. After Verlin’s death, Virginia continued to live on the farm until 1991, when she would move into Hancock. While living in town, Virginia worked at West Wind Village in Morris for 17 years; for a short period of time, she also enjoyed working part-time as a cook at the Hancock Public School. In May of 2014, Virginia moved to West Central Christian Homes in Morris and remained there until she moved to West Wind Village in 2020. While living at both places, she enjoyed visiting, having coffee, and playing bingo and cards. Throughout her life, Virginia remained very involved with church, she especially loved being a member of the Ladies Aid group at Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church in Hancock.

Virginia passed away on December 13, 2022 at West Wind Village in Morris; she was 87 years old.

Left to cherish her memory are her children: Randy (LaVonne) Peterson of Decorah, IA, Rodney (Carolyn) Peterson of Hancock, Reed (Carla) Peterson of Morris, Julie (Bart) Viss of Sioux Falls, SD, Janet (Mike) Evink of Hancock, and Jeannie (Wade) Maanum of Farwell; her brother, Marvel (Mae) Thompson of Benson, as well as sixteen grandchildren: Andrew (Aria) Evink, Mitchell (Hayley) Maanum, Jeffrey Peterson, Justin Peterson, Jordan Peterson, Briar Peterson, Brock Peterson, Ashley (Todd) Cooney, Amber (Bryan) Woods, Kari (Chris) Eaheart, Trisha Viss, Tina Viss, Tyana Viss, Alissa (Darrin) Steffens, Carly (Drake) Meyer, Brielle Peterson; and seven great-grandchildren, with one on the way; as well as many beloved nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband, Verlin; her parents, Rudolph and Myrtle Thompson; her mother and father-in-law, Ted and Alma Peterson; sister-in-law, Shirley (Joseph Jr.) Findlay; and one nephew, Bryan Findlay.

Pedersen Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements for Virginia.