Helen M. Peterson

Helen M. Peterson, 90, Browns Valley, MN, passed away Saturday, December 22, 2012, at the Browns Valley Health Center.
Mass of Christian Burial was Thursday, December 27, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Browns Valley with Father David Breu officiating. Music was provided by organist Norma Jung and the St. Anthony's Choir under the direction of Phyllis Johnson.
Burial was in the Calvary Cemetery, Browns Valley. Honorary pallbearers were the Daughters of Isabella, the Christian Mothers, the American Legion Auxiliary, and her fellow Bridge players. Active pallbearers were her grandsons, Tim Paulsen, Bill Peterson, Troy Paulsen, Tadd Peterson, Kevin Peterson, and Jason Peterson.
Visitation was Wednesday from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. followed by a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. at the church.
Helen Marie was born the first of nine children to Emil and Pauline (Determan) Hedrick on October 22, 1922, in Becker Township, Roberts County, SD. She attended rural school and graduated from Browns Valley High School in 1940.
Helen fell in love with the boy next door, Wm. S. Peterson, whom she married on April 12, 1942, at St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Browns Valley. They continued to farm while they raised their eight children. Helen worked at Ike's in the late 50s until 1967 when she was employed as secretary at the Browns Valley School. She retired in 1989. Helen and Bill moved into Browns Valley in the early 80s.
After retirement the couple traveled to all the states west of the Mississippi, and Wisconsin and Michigan. They also ventured to Canada, Mexico, and Alaska. They enjoyed traveling to various national parks including Yellowstone, Glacier, Yosemite, and the Grand Canyon. Bill passed away July 7, 2004.
Helen also traveled to the Bahamas for a Daughters of Isabella convention, and to Branson, Missouri with Dick and Patty Blegen and Mildred Johnson. She and Joanne and Mildred Johnson toured Europe, including England, Germany, Austria, Italy, Scotland and the Netherlands. Helen, Diane, Bonnie, and Shirley went to Washington DC when the cherry blossoms were blooming.
Helen was a member of St. Anthony's Catholic Church where she served as a communion and home communion minister. She was a charter member of the Daughters of Isabella and the Christian Mothers. Helen also belonged to the DCCW, the Browns Valley Alumni, the Legion Auxiliary, and the Senior Citizens. She was the head of the Food Shelf for many years.
Helen enjoyed bowling for many years, beginning at Krensing's Bowling Alley, and later in Beardsley and Valley Hai. Helen also loved playing cards. She was a member of several Bridge clubs and enjoyed playing Pinochle, Cribbage, Smear, Poker and O Heck. Helen and Bill spent many Saturday nights dancing at the Coliseum in their younger years.
Helen loved to garden; on the farm she had a huge vegetable garden along with flowers; in town she spent many hours with her flowers, especially her beautiful roses. Nothing pleased her more than sharing bulbs and seeds with others. She loved having her family visit and usually had a "to do" list ready for them.
Survivors include her children, Larry (Loretta) Peterson of Annandale, MN, Jim (Bonnie) Peterson of Turtle Lake, WI, Betti (Gene) Labs of Browns Valley, MN, Diane (Darell) Landmark of Montevideo, MN, Bob (Jodi) Peterson of Sioux Falls, SD, and Joanne (David) Hedrick-Skarjune of Minneapolis, MN; a son-in-law, Ken Paulsen of Annandale, MN; grandchildren, Mary (Mike) Folk, Bill (Mindy) Peterson, Amy (Troy) Schreifels, Lynn (Chuck) Weis, Tim (Janel) Paulsen, Christy Jones, Troy (Missy) Paulsen, Tadd (Jodi) Peterson, Jason Peterson, Lea (Aron) Anderson, Jed Landmark, Joe (Jessica) Landmark, Kayli (Josh) Siegfried, Kevin (Kristina) Peterson, and Kelsey (Chris) Tinklenberg; 25 great-grandchildren; brothers and sisters, Harry Hedrick, Glenn Hedrick, Ione Domarus, Shirley Rolstad, and Pat (Sharon) Hedrick; and many nieces and nephews.
Helen was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Bill; daughter, Delores Paulsen; son, Dennis Peterson; and brothers, John and Knute Hedrick; and sister, Mary DeMesy.