Funeral services for Elsie Johnson Peterson, age 85, of Albert Lea, were held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 21, at Trinity Lutheran Church. The Rev. Curtis Zieske officiated. Interment was in St. Peter’s Cemetery, New Richland. Visitation was 5-8 p.m. Tuesday, May 20, at Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home, and one hour prior to the services at the church.

Elsie died Sunday, May 18, 2003, at Thorne Crest Retirement Center North from complications of hip surgery.

Elsie Amanda Johnson Peterson was born in New Richland on June 18, 1917, the daughter of Willard and Marie (Maass) Cook. She graduated from New Richland Public School in 1936. On Sept. 22, 1937, she was united in marriage to Charles (Chuck) Johnson. Together they had one son and four daughters.

Charles died July 12, 1989. Elsie married Fred Peterson on March 15, 1991. In her early years, Elsie worked at Munsingwear and the Palm Garden. Along with her husband Chuck, they owned and operated the Walters Cafe from 1962-1965. Elsie retired from Wilson & Co. after 23 years in 1973. Elsie enjoyed cooking, dancing, golfing, bowling and playing cards even into her eighties. She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church and the Eagles.

Survivors are her husband, Fred Peterson of Albert Lea; daughters: Regis and husband Bob Olson of Albert Lea, Marlene and husband Roger Olson of Albert Lea, Charlotte Haukoos and significant other Jeff Quam of Albert Lea, and Julie and husband Mark Hultgren of Burnsville; grandchildren: Jerry (Lisa) Olson, Wesley Olson, Douglas Olson and fiancee Dawn Rahbain, Laurie (Bruce) Mullenbach, Jamie Tabor, Marcie (Rick) Sorensen, Rhonda Haukoos, Rachel (Jamie) Kerns, Joshua (Erin) Hultgren, and Sara Hultgren and fiancee Seth Jacobson; and 14 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister, Regis Biery of Rolla, Mo.; nephew, Noel (Shirley) Biery of Beecher, Ill., and their family; sisters-in-law: Doris Johnson and Della Johnson; brother-in-law, Edward Johnson; step daughters: Cheryl (Dave) Nelson, Marlys (Wendell) Kuehn, Linda (Rich) Parsells, and Jean (Steve) Herron; seven step grandchildren; and sister-in-law, Rose Knutson.

Elsie was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Chester, at age 13; infant son, Gary; husband, Charles (Chuck) E. Johnson, in 1989; infant grandson, Brent Haukoos; brothers-in-law: Stuart Biery, and Gordon, Bill Rueben, Sidney, Chris, and Vince Johnson; and sisters-in-law, Eleanor Berg, and Rose. Naomi, Maxine and Elsie Johnson..

Elsie was full of life and had a wonderful quick wit even to the end. She will be greatly missed by her family and all who knew her.