Funeral services for Esther Lorraine Peterson, 81, of Albert Lea, will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 23, at First Lutheran Church. The Rev. Daniel Baker will officiate. Interment will be in Graceland Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service at the church.
Esther died Saturday, June 19, 2010, at St. John’s Lutheran Home in Albert Lea after a long battle with lung disease.
Esther Lorraine Peterson was born Sept. 12, 1928, to Julius and Bertha (Woods) Wikoren in rural Worth County, Iowa. She was raised on the family farm until age 11 when they relocated to Northwood, Iowa. She moved to Albert Lea in 1968. Esther had a wonderful sense of humor, she loved to cook, play cards and visit with her many friends and family. She was employed at Land O’Lakes for 25 years. After retiring she became a very active volunteer for Shady Oaks. She enjoyed helping other tenants with transportation, grocery shopping, running errands, and sometimes just visiting. Esther moved to St. John’s Lutheran Home in 1994. There she spent many happy hours preparing food in her room for family, staff, residents and friends. The aroma when she was cooking permeated throughout the halls and never failed to bring visitors to her door. Esther also greatly enjoyed gardening and had her own special garden spot at St. John’s.
Survivors include her sons: Arden (Renae) Peterson of Albert Lea and Gordon Peterson of St. Paul; daughters: Linda Sanden and Bonnie (Todd) Thompson, both of Albert Lea; daughter-in-law, Sharon Peterson of Mason City, Iowa; 16 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; brother Howard Wikoren of Indiana; sisters: Julaine “Jay” Nessett of Albert Lea, Alice (Jim) Anderson of New Ulm, Betty (Duane) Erickson of California and Delores “Dee” (Richard) Matson of Missouri; and brother-in-law, Don Horning.
Esther was preceded in death by her parents, Julius and Bertha; daughter, Gloria VonHagen; son, Dennis Peterson; brother, James in infancy; sisters: Margaret and Esther in infancy, Ruby (Melvin) Hansen, Mavis Horning and Stella (Jerry) Jensen; and brother-in-law. Art Nessett.
Esther will be sadly missed by her family and friends.