Laverne Lois Peterson

Laverne Lois Peterson was born August 3, 1924, in Fergus Falls to Herbert and Alma (Stein) Schoening. She was an only child.

Her mother died when she was 9 years old. She was baptized and confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church, rural Fergus Falls. She attended rural school district #80 and the old Washington Junior High School in Fergus Falls. Later on, she attended the Hairdressing Academy in Fargo. She received her beautician license and worked in a beauty shop in Fergus Falls before her marriage, on October 12, 1946, she married James Peterson at Immanuel Lutheran Church and moved to Ashby and became a farm wife and homemaker. They lived and farmed on his home farm and raised their two boys. As they grew up she began working at the Ashby Equity Grocery Store, working there for several years, until it closed. She then worked at Spanglers Hartz store in Ashby for a time, before she began volunteer driving for the Grant County Senior Citizens Program which she enjoyed doing for 20 years. She was also involved with the Senior Nutrition Program and Meals on Wheels in Ashby. She enjoyed her family and friends and visiting with the elderly, many at the P. L. Nursing Home. She was an active member of the Pelican Lake Church, now Peace Church, in Ashby, belonging to the Women’s Group. Circles, and taught Sunday School a number of years while her boys were growing up. In her younger years she had belonged to the Grant County Homemakers and then more recently to the Ashby Senior Citizens Club.

Laverne was preceded in death by her parents, step-mother, Mary (Ballard) Schoening, husband Jim, of 67 years; son, Jack Peterson; sister-in-law, Mildred (Mim) Peterson, brother-in-law, Marcus (Harriet) Peterson.

She is survived by, son, Ronald Peterson of Ashby; 5 grandchildren, Travis (Erica) Peterson, Dustin Peterson, Matthew Peterson, Melanie (Ryan) Ott, Tanner (Christina) Peterson; 8 great-grandchildren; 8 great-great grandchildren; and 2 nieces, Judy Fieg and Barbara Jacobson. 

The family would like to thank Ashby Living Center for their wonderful care and compassion, where Laverne spent the last remaining three and a half years of her life prior to her passing.

A memorial service for Laverne will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, August 3, 2024, at Peace Lutheran Church in Ashby, Minnesota. There will be a visitation one hour prior to the service. Pastor Dan Hermanson will officiate the service.