Jackalee 'Jackie' Peterson

Jackalee (Jackie) Peterson was born to Violet and Gordon James in Long Beach, CA Apr. 7, 1927. Jackie and Violet relocated to LeCenter, Minn. a few years after Jackie's birth. While residing in LeCenter Violet remarried Henry Knopf who became Jackie's loving step-father. Their daughter, Kay became Jackie's sister and life friend. In 1944 Jackie graduated from LeCenter's McKinley High School. Her classmates continued to be her cherished friends with whom she shared many wonderful and fun memories through the years.
July 12, 1946 Jackie married George M. Peterson of rural New Ulm (Brighton Township) and lived happily together farming their acreage for 18 years. Jackie and George (Pete) had 3 children: Terry (1947), Lisa (1962) and Jody (1963). During their time in Brighten Township, Jackie was active in the Brighten Methodist Church and was also the first president of the Swan Lake Saddle Club. Those were truly some fun days!
In 1964 the family moved to New Ulm, Minn. and later into the country nearby. From there she enjoyed working as a chemical dependency tech at the Sioux Trails Mental Health Center, Herbergers, Holiday Inn, and the Sioux Valley Hospital. She was also active in the United Methodist Church Choir and Eastern Star.
After Pete's death in 1981, Jackie moved to be near her daughter Lisa in Tucson, AZ. A few years later, she moved again with Lisa's family to Maui, HI. Three years later, she returned to Minnesota and lived with her sister Kay near Carlton, Minn. for about 5 years. (After enjoying the deserts of Arizona, the lush beauty of island living, she had a different opportunity of living in the north woods). In 2003 Jackie moved again this time to Henry Hill in Granite Falls bringing her closer to her daughter, Terry. She remained there until her final move into the Granite Falls Manor.
Jackie's favorite thing to do was visiting with friends and family over a cup of coffee!! Other passions were oil painting, photography (mostly scenic views, nature, birds and wildlife), horseback riding, embroidery, camping, and motorcycle touring with Pete. She loved all animals and had many pets over the years. Her constant and loyal companion for the last 13 years has been her beloved cat, Gracie. She loved nature and in recent years she was often seen walking about town looking for bird nests and feeding the ducks along the river. She loved traveling anywhere. She enjoyed the mountains, ocean, lakes, desert and looking at farm lands and how the crops were growing......you can take the girl out of the country but....(you can't take the country out of the girl!!)
Among Jackie's never-to-be-forgotten friends acquired at the Manor, the kindness and love of Myrtle Hemmingsen deserves special mention. That special lady was a special gift from out of the blue who helped Jackie adjust to nursing home life. They spent a lot of time together, eating at the same table, sitting on the Manor swing and playing Bingo. Jackie would push Myrtle in her wheelchair to meals and entertainments. Finding each other was a blessing for both of them.
More recently Jackie's favorite request to anyone within hearing distance was for a Tom Collins and ice cream. Having a good time, teasing, joking, partying, interest in current events and the events of everyone's lives were always what characterized Jackie's energetic personality.
This past June Jackie mentioned that she thought it would be a good idea to have a party. Terry mentioned that when Jackie finally transitioned from this life, there would be a celebration of her life, but no funeral. Tom Collins would be served to all and the celebration would, in fact happen. Jackie was delighted by this idea and said, "Do it!! Please do it!! That's wonderful!" And so....we will!
(A funny little comment made by Jackie during this conversation when daughter, Terry, tried to gently remind her that she had a little problem forgetting things sometimes, she replied rather indignantly, " I do NOT forget! I just don't remember!!") ....and there you are!!
The past few months we have seen Jackie (and her forever furry friend, Gracie) decline from their vibrant active selves to becoming less active and sleeping more but still remembering family. Time changes everything.... and now it's time to rest and go on to more adventures on the other side.
Jackie was preceded in death by her husband George M. (Pete) Peterson, father Gordon James, mother Violet Knopf, step father Henry Knopf, and her son Jody. Surviving her death are her daughters Terry (Thomas) Locher of Hermosa, SD and Lisa Alexander (Chris) Johnson of Santa Cruz, CA. sister Kay (Harold) Webster of Brooklyn Park, Mn; grandchildren: Jamie (Matthew) Roder of Hermosa, SD, Caity Peterson of Tyler, TX, Samantha Sheffield of Oakwood, TX, Sarah Overton of Gardenerville, NV, Nate Overton of Denver, CO. and Erin Johnson of Santa Cruz, CA; great grandchildren: Thomas and Brea Roder, Coby and Brylee Sheffield.
Other survivors and very special friends, considered "family," are Tom and Marilyn Macho of New Ulm.
Jackie Peterson is the person sliding sideways into her forever resting place, dusting herself off and saying , "It's been onehellova GREAT ride!!!" God will indeed, have His hands full!!!