Mary Jane Peterson

Memorial services of Mary Jane Peterson, age 71 will be held at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, August 14, 2013 at Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home.  Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.  
Mary Jane died Friday, August 9, 2013 at Good Samaritan Center.
Mary Jane Peterson was born on October 11, 1941, the daughter of Daniel Andrew and Sarah Rebecca (Huffman) Verdoorn in Sheldon, IA.  She was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith.  Mary Jane grew up in the Albert Lea and Hollandale area and attended school in Albert Lea.  On October 11, 1961 Mary Jane was united in marriage to Merlin Peterson at Silver Lake Lutheran Church.  Together they had two children.  While her children were young, Mary Jane was a home maker.  She later worked for Mrs. Gerry’s for 19 years.  She enjoyed bowling, quilting, gardening, aerobics and caring for others.  
Survivors include her husband Merlin; daughter Rebecca (Mike) Swanson; grandchildren Brady and Derrick Peterson and Tyler and Jacob Swanson; brothers Syd  Verdoorn, Daniel (Pat) Verdoorn and David (Faye) Verdoorn; daughter-in-law Tammie Peterson; sisters-in-law Harriet Green, Mary (Dean) Poole and Sandy Peterson; brothers-in-law Jim (Kathy) Peterson and Roger Prantner, many nieces and nephews and her loyal best friend, Big Boy.
Mary Jane was preceded in death by her parents; son Stanwood Peterson; brother Raymond Verdoorn; father and mother- in-law Selmer and Myrtle Peterson; sister-in-law Aggie Prantner; brothers-in-law Dale Peterson and Dave Green; and nephew Gene Poole.