Irene Peterson

Irene D. Peterson, age 86, of Parkers Prairie, died Thursday, July 27, 2017 at the St. William’s Living Center in Parkers Prairie.

Funeral services are 6:00 p.m., Wednesday, August 2, 2017 at Esther Lutheran Church in Eastern Township with Rev. Tom Kolden officiating. Music is provided by organist, Kristi Wussow, violinist, Anna Guenther and vocalist, Arlo Peterson. Burial is at the church cemetery.

Visitation is 6-8 p.m., Tuesday at Lind Family Funeral Home in Parkers Prairie and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church.

Irene Deloris Skoglund was born on June 25, 1931, to Edwin and Pearl (Antonson) Skoglund in Alexandria. She grew up on a small dairy farm in Eastern Township. She attended Joy School and graduated from Parkers Prairie High School in 1949. Irene graduated from the University of Minnesota where she earned her B.S. Degree in Home Economics. Following her education, she worked in Stearns County as a Home Extension Agent. Irene was united in marriage to Harvey Peterson on May 16, 1954, at First Lutheran Church in Parkers Prairie. Following their marriage, the couple moved to Washington D.C., where Irene worked at Columbia Light House of the Blind, teaching students how to care for themselves and their homes. They were blessed with their first-born son, Rodney while in D.C.  They returned to Minnesota in 1956, following the death of Harvey’s father, to take over the family farm and were blessed with their son, David and daughter, Marcia. Irene worked for Douglas County as an Area Extension Agent for 10 years.  In 1967, she was hired as an Area Extension Agent on the Senior Citizen Pilot Project with the Governor’s Council.  Irene organized many senior centers and focused on special dietary programs for nursing homes making her office in Wadena, serving eight counties. In 1970, she became Supervisor of the Expanded Food and Nutrition Program, and was also involved with the USDA Program. Irene received the National Distinguished Award in 1971, for her commitment and service to the elderly. After 33 years of service Irene retired in 1983. She was a life-long member of Esther Lutheran Church, sang in the choir, and belonged to the birthday club.  During her youth, she was active in the church youth group, Rural Youth Group, and Eastern Stars 4-H. She enjoyed entertaining many friends and relatives in her home, helping others, traveling, sewing, gardening, food preservation, decorating, and crafts. Irene especially enjoyed time with her granddaughters.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Harvey on March 1, 2017; son, David Allen Peterson; and sister, Ethel Anderson.

Irene is survived by her son, Rodney Peterson of Parkers Prairie; daughter, Marcia (Rick) Guenther of Parkers Prairie; two granddaughters, Amber Guenther (special friend, Ryan Ness) and Anna Guenther (fiancé, Trent Hagen) both of Parkers Prairie; sisters, Evelyn Olson of Ortonville and Marian (Duane) Johnson of Sun City West, Arizona; host daughter, Maria Nebeling of Bingen, Germany; and many other relatives.

Pallbearers are Doug Skoglund, Clayton Skoglund, Edward Schmidt, Doug Schmidt, Gary Schmidt, and Dewey Schmidt.  Honorary pallbearers are Bruce Anderson, Gary Anderson, Lawrence Doble and Larry Sather.