General Information
Full Name: Mary M. Peterson
Date of Birth: October 17, 1946
Date of Death: March 29, 2013
Mary’s life story
Mary M. Peterson
On Thursday, October 17, 1946 in Rugby, North Dakota, Mary was born to parents George and Regina (Boehm) Ganje. She was the sixth of eight children and a twin to Frank. Mary’s childhood years were spent growing up in Minot, ND attending catholic grade school and later graduating from Bishop Ryan High School in 1964.
For a short time, Mary was furthering her education in nursing, but soon met a young man. After being extremely late for their first date, Larry “Pete” Peterson still must have impressed her enough. For Mary married Pete on Valentine’s Day, Monday, February 14, 1966 at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church in Minot, ND. They were blessed and raised two children, Michael and Monica.
The family spent a short time in Minot and then in Minneapolis, before settling their roots in Savage, until moving to Prior Lake in 1986. As the children were growing up, Mary relished being a devoted wife and loving mother. Her children were her everything and treasured being involved in their life. As a family, they enjoyed visiting relatives back in Minot.
Most of Mary’s career was spent managing the front desk at Holiday Inn in Bloomington and most recently she was the bookkeeper at South Metro Federal Credit Union in Prior Lake. She retired in October of 2011.
Mary enjoyed tending to her flower gardens, crocheting, knitting and sewing. An artist by hobby, she even dappled in stained glass. One of Mary’s greatest joys was educating herself on eagles and even becoming a moderator for an eagle cam website. She enjoyed playing bingo, watching and feeding the birds and hosting Thanksgiving dinner for her family. Mary also enjoyed spending time with her friend and neighbor Ann Monson.
On April 22, 2006, the wind was taken out of Mary’s sails, with the unexpected passing of Pete. Their dream was to travel in their retirement. Mary made the most of life, without her husband at her side. She did get to travel a bit while visiting her daughter in New Jersey, seeing the ocean and the mountains. Over the last 14 years, Mary’s passion has been being a “grammy” to Tommy. She adored him and he was her bright star.
Family was always Mary’s focus and she put all her energy towards being a loving, caring and supportive wife, mother, grandmother and sister. The morning of Friday, March 29, 2013, Mary passed away peacefully at the age of 66, at Trinity Care Center in Farmington, MN.
Deeply missed and remembered always by those who loved Mary, son, Michael Peterson of Prior Lake; daughter, Monica (Joe) Newsham of Stratford, New Jersey; grandson, Tommy Madden; siblings, George “Buck” (Susan) Ganje of Arizona, JoAnn (John) Congdon of Colorado, Diane (Larry) Kirby of Missouri, Frank Ganje of Minnesota, John Ganje of North Dakota, Leonard Ganje of North Dakota; other loving relatives and devoted friends.
Mary is preceded in death by her husband, Larry “Pete”; parents; and sister, Lucille Albers.
Urn bearers for Mary will be her grandson, Tommy.
The Celebration of Life Service will be on Tuesday, April 9 at 11 am, with visitation starting at 9:30 am all at Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home 4565 Pleasant Street SE, Prior Lake, MN. Jean Breeggemann will be the celebrant. Mary will be laid to rest next to her husband at St. Michael’s Catholic Cemetery in Prior Lake.
The Peterson family is served with honor, care and compassion by Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Prior Lake Chapel.
Visitation
When:Tuesday, APRIL 9th 9:30 – 11 am
Location: Ballard Sunder Funeral Home
Address: 4565 Pleasant Street SE
Prior Lake, Minnesota
Service Information
When:Tuesday, APRIL 9th11 am
Location: Ballard Sunder Funeral Home
Address: 4565 Pleasant Street SE
Prior Lake, Minnesota
Interment
St. Michael Catholic Cemetery
Prior Lake, MN
