Obituary of Mary Joyce Peterson

Mary Joyce "Dee" Peterson

Age 89, of Edina, formerly of Bloomington and Richfield, died peacefully, surrounded by family on October 9, 2023. Born in Cambridge, MN and raised in NE Minneapolis, Mary attended Edison High School (Class of ‘52). She and James C. (Jim) Peterson were married in 1954 and began their life together in Maine while Jim was stationed at the Naval base in Portsmouth, NH. They returned to Minnesota in 1955 and became parents to three very active boys. Mary loved her roles as wife, mother, grandmother, den mother, and Sunday school teacher. She was a talented, self-taught watercolor artist, prolific reader, and avid league golfer and bowler. Mary also enjoyed several years of part-time work at Lifetouch. As a mother and grandmother, Mary was adoring and supportive. She orchestrated gift-giving games each holiday, ensured the foods of her Scandinavian heritage were present (including Swedish meatballs and pickled herring), and enjoyed treating those around her whenever possible. As a young family, they took many camping trips to state and national parks. After Jim retired, they spent winter months in Florida with relatives and friends, enjoying walks on the beach, playing cards, and visiting. Mary and Jim’s story is one of caring, sweetness, and enduring love which will continue to serve as an example to all.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, F. Walter and Esther (Bergstrom) Gerdin, step-mother Ethel Gerdin, brother Walter Gerdin, and sisters Janet Snelson and Karen Reed. Mary is survived by her loving husband of 69 years, Jim. Also survived by sons Jon (Jan), Joel, and David (Susie); 8 grandchildren Scott, Katie, Megan, Andrew, Jordan, Hannah, Carlee, and Joseph; 4 great-grandchildren Cecelia, Beck, Evelyn, and Flora; brother David Gerdin, and many other relatives and friends.

Memorial service will be Thursday, November 2 at 11:00am with visitation beginning at 10:00am at Oak Grove Lutheran Church, 7045 Lyndale Ave S, Richfield, MN. Arrangements by Cremation Society of Minnesota. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations preferred to Oak Grove Church or donor’s choice. Special thanks to the caring staff of Care Builders At Home and Grace Hospice.