Arlene Peterson

Arlene Mae Peterson was born May 15, 1921, in Willmar, the daughter of Alvin Carl & Alma (Kramer) Skjefte. She was baptized at Vinje Lutheran Church in Willmar, on July 3, 1921. Her family moved to Maynard when she was a young girl. She graduated from the Maynard High School in 1939. She worked for her parents at the café they owned during her school years.
Arlene was united in marriage to Gerhard “Gay” Peterson at the Maynard parsonage on October 31, 1942. She owned a grocery store and a restaurant in Maynard and later worked at the Variety Supply in Clara City. She was an active member of Maynard Lutheran Church, the Green Feather Card Club, American Legion Auxiliary and the Garden Club. She enjoyed sewing, making lefse and hardunger. She loved her family and spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Arlene passed away on Thursday, September 1, 2016, at the Clara City Care Center. She was 95 years of age.
She is survived by her two daughters: Janet (Ken) Schmidtke of Montevideo and Joy (Rod) Olson of Milan; brother Harlen (Grace) Skjefte of Minneapolis, grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and extended family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Gerhard; sister Alvera (Thaine) Harris; grandson Jordan Olson; son-in-law Bob McGee and great grandson Patrick McGee.