Memorial services for Mary Jane Peterson, 71, will be at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday at Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Online condolences are welcome at www.bayviewfuneral.com.

Mary Jane died Friday, Aug. 9, 2013, at Good Samaritan Society.

Mary Jane Peterson was born on Oct. 11, 1941, the daughter of Daniel Andrew and Sarah Rebecca (Huffman) Verdoorn in Sheldon, Iowa. She was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith. Mary Jane grew up in the Albert Lea and Hollandale area and attended school in Albert Lea. On Oct. 11, 1961, Mary Jane was united in marriage to Merlin Peterson at Silver Lake Lutheran Church. Together they had two children. While her children were young, Mary Jane was a homemaker. She later worked for Mrs. Gerry’s for 19 years. She enjoyed bowling, quilting, gardening, aerobics and caring for others.

Survivors include her husband, Merlin; daughter, Rebecca (Mike) Swanson; grandchildren, Brady and Derrick Peterson and Tyler and Jacob Swanson; brothers, Syd Verdoorn, Daniel (Pat) Verdoorn and David (Faye) Verdoorn; daughter-in-law, Tammie Peterson; sisters-in-law, Harriet Green, Mary (Dean) Poole and Sandy Peterson; brothers-in-law, Jim (Kathy) Peterson and Roger Prantner; many nieces and nephews; and her loyal best friend, Big Boy. Mary Jane was preceded in death by her parents; son, Stanwood Peterson; brother, Raymond Verdoorn; father and mother-in-law, Selmer and Myrtle Peterson; sister-in-law, Aggie Prantner; brothers-in-law, Dale Peterson and Dave Green; and nephew, Gene Poole.