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Loretta Petersen

Lead Summary

Loretta Mae Petersen, 93, Luverne, died Sunday, July 25, 2021, at the Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
A funeral service was Friday, July 30, at the American Reformed Church in Luverne. Burial was at the Maplewood Cemetery in Luverne.
Loretta DeBoer was born to Henry and Katie (Kickert) DeBoer on Feb. 15, 1928, in South Holland, Illinois. The family moved to Leota when Loretta was six years old. Loretta grew up with her sister Elaine next door to her grandparents and worked at the family store. She attended high school in Edgerton and went on to college to get her teaching certificate.
Loretta’s first year of teaching was at the District 21 country school, and she boarded with the Petersen family where she met Ralph. They were married on Sept. 2, 1948. Loretta worked with Ralph on the farm. She was also an accomplished seamstress and enjoyed sharing their home and entertaining guests.
Ralph and Loretta were charter members of the American Reformed Church. Loretta helped start Girls’ League, attended Circle, taught the same Sunday School class for more than 35 years, and she also played organ for many years. Her Christian faith was also an integral part of her personal life.
Ralph and Loretta were snowbirds who went to Texas every winter. They also enjoyed camping and traveling. Loretta continued going to Texas for several years after Ralph died.
Loretta enjoyed cooking and was known for her legendary buns. She loved to try new recipes. Her kids and grandkids never left without gifts of food. She also loved to play all kinds of cards and games and have fun.
Loretta is survived by her children, Darrell (Debbie) Petersen and Paula (Dan) Giles; grandchildren and their families, Lon and Sonya (Petersen) Bjornrud (Sage and Maisy), Craig and Holly Petersen (Davis, Jace, Calla and Brennan), Justin and Vonny (Petersen) Kleinman (Hank), Dustin Schneekloth, and Cody Schneekloth (Avery, Oakley, and Eli); a sister, Elaine Bolt Petersen; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Jim and Carol Drews; sister-in-law Dorothy Petersen; and other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Ralph; her parents; son-in-law John Schneekloth; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Harold Bolt, Gordon and Gwyn Petersen, Kurt Petersen, and Silver and Elaine Reker.
Arrangements were provided by Hartquist Funeral Home of Luverne, hartquistfuneral.com.
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