Geraldine Bernadine Peterson
Memorial services for Gloria Bernadine Peterson of Emmons, MN, will be held at 1:30 PM Wednesday, January20, 2016 at the Emmons Lutheran Church. Pastor Christopher Martin will officiate. Visitation will be held Tuesday evening from 4 until 7 PM at the Bonnerup Funeral Service in Albert Lea, MN, and one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be in the Lime Creek Lutheran Cemetery at a later date.
Gloria died Wednesday, January 13, 2016 at Oak Park Place in Albert Lea, MN; she was 91 years of age.
Gloria was born May 27, 1924 the daughter of Henry and Gertrude (London) Opdahl in Albert Lea, MN. She grew up on the Ole Opdahl homestead, Mansfield Township. She attended school in district 74 Mansfield township for eight years and graduated from Alden High School in 1942. She graduated from Waldorf College (toured with the choir) in 1944. There were two boys left to graduate as all the others had gone to war. Gloria aspired to become a nurse at Fairview Hospital but because of a back injury the path took a detour. She went for one quarter to Gustavus in St Peter, MN, and the following two years to Augustana, Sioux Falls, S.D.
Gloria worked at the Sioux Falls Public Library part time, then full time following graduation. In 1948 she taught seventh and eighth grades in Bancroft, S.D. In 1949 she came back to Emmons to teach those same grades. In 1966 she went to work as a social worker in Freeborn County and retired in 1986 after 20 years.
Gloria was united in marriage to Russell Peterson on August 20, 1950 at the Lime Creek Lutheran Church, Emmons, MN. She was an active member of the Emmons Lutheran Church serving on Church Council and Church Circle. Gloria was involved on the St John’s Lutheran Home Board, Hospice Volunteer and the Freeborn County Historical Society. She loved music and singing and sang for many weddings and funerals.
Gloria is survived by her children Steven and his wife Melissa Peterson of Littleton, CO, Gregory and his wife Connie Peterson of Alden, MN, Sheila and her husband Steve Swift of Clear Lake, IA, Henry (Todd) and his wife Lynn Peterson of Albert Lea, MN. There are three grandchildren Bryan (Kael) Peterson, Brett Peterson and Evan Peterson and one great grandson Beckett Peterson.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Russell, brothers Duane and Harlan Opdahl and an infant sister.
Memorials preferred to the Emmons Lutheran Church Missions.
