Lorraine Peterson

Lorraine Patricia Peterson, 97, formerly of Brainerd, passed away Tuesday, March 14, 2017 at Ecumen Centennial House in Apple Valley.

Lorraine was born on Christmas Day in 1919 to Michael and Anna (Motzko) Vierzba in Brainerd. She was the 5th of 10 children, attended St. Francis Catholic school and graduated in 1937. Lorraine married her caring husband William G. Peterson in 1939. The couple made their home together in Brainerd for over 60 years and raised six children. Lorraine also worked outside the home. A few of her memorable jobs included being a nanny on Gull Lake, working in Rozlyn’s Dress Shop, and waitressing at Club Laguyal and Harold’s Club. Waitress work was especially fulfilling to her as she enjoyed meeting new friends and the live music that played on the weekends. Lorraine formally retired in 1982 at age 63, but did not stop living life to the fullest. Time was filled with bingo, fishing, baking, entertaining and enjoying her many grandchildren. She loved to entertain! Her door was always open for a cup of coffee and cinnamon rolls or cookies. The “Peterson Hotel” was located a block away from St. Francis Church which was a prime location for many friends and family to stop in on their way to or from church. Lorraine had many friends to indulge in her many interests. She especially enjoyed fishing on Mille Lacs Lake, tennis, bowling, skating, casino runs, bingo and cards. She was an active member of St. Francis Catholic Church, Daughters of Isabella and St. Lucy Guild, the VFW and American Legion Auxiliaries. Family was very important to Lorraine. She was very proud to say that she came from a very hardworking family. Growing up during the Depression, she learned that the responsibility that came with that impacted her as a person and shaped not only her life, but how she raised her children.

She will be deeply missed by her children; Nancy (Joe) Schwarz of St. Paul, MN, Brian (Nelly) Peterson of South Lake Tahoe, CA, Linda (Duffy) Opatz of Hudson, WI, David (Carol) Peterson of Ponsford, MN, Janice (Ken) Ullery of Apple Valley, MN, and Greg (Mary) Peterson of Burnsville, MN. In addition, she will be missed by 15 grandchildren, 26 great grandchildren and her two sisters; Geraldine (Marvin) Winson of Brainerd and Donna (Robert) Brown of Minneapolis.

She was preceded in death by husband, Bill, her parents, sisters Ellen Smith, Eveline D’Angelo, Bernice Boudreau and brothers Leonard and George Vierzba.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1:00 PM, Saturday, March 25, 2017 at St. Francis Catholic Church in Brainerd. Father Paul Strommer will officiate. Family and friends are invited to gather one hour prior to Mass and also on Friday, March 24 from 5-7 PM at the Brenny Funeral Chapel in Baxter. Interment will be held at Evergreen Cemetery in Brainerd.