Lois Leone Peterson, 91
Lois Leone Peterson, 91, of Stephen, Minnesota, passed peacefully on October 31, 2019, after living a wonderful and fulfilling life. Lois was born to John and Emma Laude on March 19, 1928. She graduated from Karlstad High School in 1946. She continued her education and graduated from Moorhead State Teacher’s College in 1948 and went on to teach sixth grade for two years at Stephen Public School. On July 7, 1950, Lois married the love of her life, Pete (Clarence Peterson, Jr.), and they lived in rural Stephen where they farmed and raised three children, Susan, Thomas, and John.
Lois, the youngest of eleven children, grew up on her family’s farm and immersed herself in the freedoms of rural living. She spent her summers barefoot, climbing over fences, feeding horses and taking note of the wondrous beauty that surrounded her. Her winters were spent in ice skates. A nearby coulee was her personal ice rink where she could skate for a mile straight without interruption. In her formative years, living amongst family members that were older than her, she respectfully observed their every move and became enamored with their work ethic and limitless love for one another. She watched with adoration as her beloved mother and father guided their family through The Great Depression and World War II. Three of her brothers and one brother-in-law were deployed for the duration of The War. It was during this time of incredible stress and hardship that she learned to keep her chin up, to keep moving forward and to “think the good thought”, as her mother would say. When Lois and Pete started their own family, the unconditional love Lois knew as a child was radiated to her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren with unsurpassed enthusiasm. Lois, unafraid to enjoy all things beautiful, found immense joy in gardening, music, cinema, and literature. Laughter and reminiscing of days gone by were pillars of her existence. Lois understood the interconnectivity and value of all living things and that understanding was reflected in the way she lived her entire life.
Lois is survived by her children: Susan Bravatto, Tucson, AZ, Thomas (Sheila) Peterson, Stephen, MN, and John (Shawna) Peterson, Stephen, MN; her seven grandchildren: Ryan (Kristen) Crawford, Erik (Nicole) Crawford, Travis (Sarah) Peterson, Nichole (Nic) Fougner, Elsie Peterson, Carly (Isaac) Black, and Marnie Peterson; her six great-grandchildren: Caden and Myles Crawford, Mya and Treyvin Crawford, and Jalynn and Tristan Fougner, and several nieces and nephews. Lois is preceded in death by her husband, Pete, her parents, John and Emma Laude, parents-in-law, Clarence and Lillian Peterson, son-in-law, Jim Bravatto, her siblings, Emory and Laura Laude, Loren and Florence Laude, Lester Laude, Kenneth Laude, Myrtle Laude, Marvin and Clara Laude, Leila and Leonard Zabrocki, Delmar and Joanne Laude, Irene and William Gatheridge, Donald Laude, siblings-in-law, Helen and Donald Lerud, and nephews and nieces.
Funeral services are scheduled for Saturday, November 9, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. in First Lutheran Church, Stephen. Interment will be in the Stephen City Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the church for one hour prior to the service. Austin Funeral Chapel, Stephen. Rev. Mike Schendel, presiding.
