Diane Peterson
d. January 23, 2024
Diane Peterson, age 81, of Granite Falls, Minnesota passed away Tuesday, January 23, 2024 at Rice Memorial Hospital in Willmar. A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, March 16, 2024 at 11:00 AM at Granite Falls Lutheran Church. Visitation will be held from 10:00 - 11:00 AM, one hour prior to the service at the church.
Diane Ruth (Arends) Peterson was born on August 27, 1942 in Montevideo, Minnesota to John and Ruby (Nelson) Arends. Diane was baptized and confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Clara City, MN. She lived in Gluek, MN and attended country school for four years. She later attended school in Maynard, MN and graduated in 1960 from Maynard High School. After graduation, Diane attended the MN School of Business. Her first job was with Durkee Atwood in Minneapolis, MN as a keypunch operator.
On July 28, 1962 she was united in marriage to Gale Peterson of Granite Falls, MN at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Clara City, MN. After their marriage they moved to California. They traveled and settled in many states, as Gale was a lineman. From the years 1967-1971, they brought three children into this world; Jill, Susan, and Eric, all born in California. In 1973, they decided to move back to Granite Falls, MN, where Diane and Gale have lived and farmed for over 50 + years. Diane worked at the VSC in Clara City for a number of years. She also worked in a variety of different positions at the Southern MN Beet Sugar Cooperative in Renville, MN. Her most recent employment was with the State of Minnesota at the Job Service Office. She was first in the Montevideo office and later transferred to the Willmar office. She worked for the state of Minnesota for over 30 years. She retired at the age of 70 in 2012.
Diane was involved in many social and church service groups over the years; Altar Guild, Women’s Circle, Homemakers, Quilt and Card club. She served as a Sunday School teacher at Granite Falls Lutheran Church for many years. She also loved to sew, knit, needlepoint, and garden.
The Lord called Diane home on Tuesday evening, January 23rd. She was in the Rice Hospital in Willmar, MN surrounded by family. She was loved dearly and her memory will live on in the hearts of her family and friends.
Diane is survived by her husband, Gale and their three children, Jill (Steve) Grove of Willmar, MN; Susan (Chad) Bones of Granite Falls, MN; Eric (Amy) Peterson of Granite Falls, MN; six grandchildren Alexander (Lydia) Grove, Austin Grove , Jacob and James Peterson, Ruby and Abigale Bones; three great grandchildren Landry, Lincoln and Londyn Grove; Siblings, John “Smokey” (Audrey) Arends of Clara City, Judy (David) Rockwell of Beaufort, SC, and Julie (Jeff) Williams of Granite Falls; In-laws Ben Gunnarson, Orlo and Cheryl Austin, Darlene Peterson Haushchild; numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
She is preceded in death by her parents, John and Ruby Arends; Father and Mother-in-law Peter and Frances Peterson, brother-in-law Paul Peterson, sister-in-law Marilyn (Peterson) Gunnarson, nephew Gregory Gunnarson, and great-nephew Jackson Abernathy.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are respectfully preferred.
Diane Ruth (Arends) Peterson was born on August 27, 1942 in Montevideo, Minnesota to John and Ruby (Nelson) Arends. Diane was baptized and confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Clara City, MN. She lived in Gluek, MN and attended country school for four years. She later attended school in Maynard, MN and graduated in 1960 from Maynard High School. After graduation, Diane attended the MN School of Business. Her first job was with Durkee Atwood in Minneapolis, MN as a keypunch operator.
On July 28, 1962 she was united in marriage to Gale Peterson of Granite Falls, MN at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Clara City, MN. After their marriage they moved to California. They traveled and settled in many states, as Gale was a lineman. From the years 1967-1971, they brought three children into this world; Jill, Susan, and Eric, all born in California. In 1973, they decided to move back to Granite Falls, MN, where Diane and Gale have lived and farmed for over 50 + years. Diane worked at the VSC in Clara City for a number of years. She also worked in a variety of different positions at the Southern MN Beet Sugar Cooperative in Renville, MN. Her most recent employment was with the State of Minnesota at the Job Service Office. She was first in the Montevideo office and later transferred to the Willmar office. She worked for the state of Minnesota for over 30 years. She retired at the age of 70 in 2012.
Diane was involved in many social and church service groups over the years; Altar Guild, Women’s Circle, Homemakers, Quilt and Card club. She served as a Sunday School teacher at Granite Falls Lutheran Church for many years. She also loved to sew, knit, needlepoint, and garden.
The Lord called Diane home on Tuesday evening, January 23rd. She was in the Rice Hospital in Willmar, MN surrounded by family. She was loved dearly and her memory will live on in the hearts of her family and friends.
Diane is survived by her husband, Gale and their three children, Jill (Steve) Grove of Willmar, MN; Susan (Chad) Bones of Granite Falls, MN; Eric (Amy) Peterson of Granite Falls, MN; six grandchildren Alexander (Lydia) Grove, Austin Grove , Jacob and James Peterson, Ruby and Abigale Bones; three great grandchildren Landry, Lincoln and Londyn Grove; Siblings, John “Smokey” (Audrey) Arends of Clara City, Judy (David) Rockwell of Beaufort, SC, and Julie (Jeff) Williams of Granite Falls; In-laws Ben Gunnarson, Orlo and Cheryl Austin, Darlene Peterson Haushchild; numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
She is preceded in death by her parents, John and Ruby Arends; Father and Mother-in-law Peter and Frances Peterson, brother-in-law Paul Peterson, sister-in-law Marilyn (Peterson) Gunnarson, nephew Gregory Gunnarson, and great-nephew Jackson Abernathy.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are respectfully preferred.
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