Mattie E. Petersen

MATTIE ELDORA PETERSEN was born on July 18, 1917 to John and Della (Lewis) Ellefson on the family farm northwest of Hardwick, Minnesota in Rock County. She was baptized on August 5, 1917 at Rosedell Lutheran Church near Jasper, Minnesota and confirmed on October 11, 1931 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Luverne, Minnesota. She attended school through the eighth grade in Denver Township, District 68. After graduating from country school, Mattie worked on the family farm doing chores, gardening, raising chickens and helping her mother with housework. She met her future husband, Merten G. Petersen, at a birthday party on November 4, 1933. The next night, Merten asked her out to the movies at the Palace Theater in Luverne. From that night on, they were inseparable. During their courtship years and beyond, the couple enjoyed playing cards, watching movies, attending neighborhood picnics and dancing at the Gem Ballroom. On September 15, 1937 they were married at the Methodist Church parsonage in Luverne by Rev. Meirbactol. Following their marriage the couple lived with Merten’s parents until the spring of 1938 when they moved to a farm in Rosedell Township. Here they made their lives, Mattie as a devoted wife and mother, taking care of their home and family, and Merten working the land. Along with being a homemaker, Mattie loved to garden, grow flowers and keep a manicured yard. She also baked and decorated cakes for graduations, birthdays and weddings. Merten semi-retired from farming in 1978. During their retirement years, the couple enjoyed traveling together. From 1978 to 1989, they traveled with 25 bus tours, touching every state in the contiguous United States. Merten died in September of 1996. After his death, Mattie continued to reside on the farm until September of 2002, when she moved into Luverne. In February of 2014 Mattie became a resident at the Good Samaritan Society – Mary Jane Brown Home in Luverne, where on Saturday, October 25, 2014 she died peacefully at the age of 97 years, three months and seven days.

Mattie was a member of the United Methodist Church in Luverne. She served as an officer and member of the United Methodist Women and her church circle, and provided food for funerals and other church activities. She was an officer and member of the Hardwick Servicemen’s Mother’s Club and active in the Farmer’s Union adult and youth programs. She enjoyed sewing, embroidering, and making her grandchildren quilts. Family was Mattie’s love and her actions exemplified this love. Whenever possible, Merten and Mattie attended their children’s and grandchildren’s school activities and she loved hosting large family gatherings and getting everyone together.

Mattie is remembered by her eight children, Phyllis Mohr of Luverne, Raymond Petersen of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Dalma Bucher of Woodbury, Minnesota, Eugene Petersen and his wife Connie or Hardwick, Marilynn Flanagan and her husband Harry of Jasper, Minnesota, Marcia Petersen and her husband LeRoy of Greenbush, Minnesota, Allene Flora and her husband Douglas of Madison, South Dakota, and Arden Petersen and his wife Bonnie of Sioux Falls; 24 grandchildren; 46 great-grandchildren; 4 great-great grandchildren; and two sisters, Jessie Wenzel and her husband Bud of Hardwick, and Darlene Ruud of Sioux Falls; two sisters-in-law, Joyce Serie of Tyler, Minnesota and Esther Petersen of Luverne. She was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, Merten; parents; infant sister, LaVon; sister, Ruby Dibbern; daughter-in-law, Mary Petersen; two sons-in-law, Robert Mohr and Donald Bucher; sister-in-law, Janet Petersen; and five brothers-in-law, John Petersen, Roger Petersen, Harvey Dibbern, Robert Ruud and L.J. Serie.

Memorials may be directed to the United Methodist Church in Luverne 'Memorial Fund'.