Ruth L. Peterson

Ruth L. Peterson, age 101, of Long Prairie, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family on August 1, 2025, at Bethany on the Lake.

A Celebration of her life will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, August 16, 2025, at Grace Baptist Church in Alexandria with Pastor Ken Gibbs officiating. Interment will be at the Reynolds Baptist Cemetery in Long Prairie following the celebration.

A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church.

Ruth Lois was born on June 13, 1924, in Long Prairie to Robert and Gladys (Gustafson) Hoglund. The Hoglund family had a total of seven children—five boys and two girls—and they were all raised on the farm that was homesteaded by her grandparents.

Ruth attended District 15 for grade school in Gutches Grove through the 8th grade and continued her education at Long Prairie High School, graduating in 1942. She walked to grade school and roomed and boarded in town while she completed high school. During her high school years, she met Richard Peterson at church in the youth group. She cheered Richard on in sports, and together they attended youth group meetings. This cemented their relationship, and they married in September 1944.

Following their marriage, Richard was drafted into the United States Army and was stationed in Texas. Ruth adventurously joined him before his deployment to the Philippine Islands. Ruth worked in various clerical roles until Richard’s honorable discharge. Together, the couple purchased the family farm from Richard’s parents, Erick and Gertrude Peterson.

Ruth cherished the way of life around the farm, Reynolds Baptist Church, and having family nearby. She enjoyed growing a large garden, preserving food, and supporting all the farming activities. Her life as a member of an active church fulfilled her days in a small local community. The joy of Ruth’s life was her five children, who kept her running back and forth to Long Prairie for many school, sporting, and choral events.

Ruth took up quilting, and up until recently made quilts for almost everyone she knew, sending them to Ukraine, Mexico, Bethel University, and family. She loved to cook and would invite family for birthdays and holidays to share with. The family Christmas dinner included lutefisk, Swedish meatballs, and potato sausage, with many sides and her special Christmas layer Jello that was a family tradition!

Ruth loved word games. She was always up for a game of Scrabble and was a tough opponent. She spent hours doing Word Finds, and a game of Bananagrams with the kids was fun for everyone who participated. Watching Richard play sports in her youth sparked Ruth's lifelong passion for sports, and she remained a devoted fan of the Twins and Timberwolves.

Ruth’s long life was in the hands of Jesus Christ, her Lord and Savior. Her faith, prayer, Bible passages, and old hymns were her joy and comfort in the last days of her life. She was thankful and grateful to all the staff who attended her at Bethany. Her family will forever be grateful for their loving care of her, and to the Hospice of Douglas County team.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Richard; and sons, Ronald Peterson and Lowell Peterson.

Ruth is survived by her children, Sharon (Paul Eberhard), David Peterson, and Judy (Mike) Nelson; daughters-in-law, Jerri Peterson and Carol Peterson; nine grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother, Kenneth Hoglund; sisters-in-law, Marion and Ardis; brother-in-law, Lloyd Peterson; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Memories of this very special woman will be held dear in all of their hearts.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.