Ardys Peterson

Ardys Peterson, age 81, of St. James died on Sunday, November 15, 2009, at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester, MN. Memorial may be directed to the St. James Senior Transportation program. Ardys Lorraine Anderson was born December 11, 1927, on the family farm in Nelson Township, Watonwan County, Minnesota, the daughter of G. Arthur Anderson and Alida Pernilla (Revne) Anderson. She grew up on the family farm, attended Country School Dist #45 and graduated from St. James High School. Ardys was the bookkeeper at Ziebarth Chevrolet in St. James, where she met Raymond Peterson. They were united in marriage on August 14, 1949 and made their home in St. James. Ray was a mail carrier in town and then in the rural area. Ardys worked as a bookkeeper for Greig Oil for a number of years before becoming the director at the MVAC Nutrition Site in St. James, later working with the Nutrition Sites in Butterfield, Truman and Madelia, which she did for many years. Ardys also organized Senior Citizen bus tours and started the Senior Transportation program. Following her retirement she did the bookkeeping for her son at PJ's, in Wilder and Bingham Lake until her health began to fail. Ardys devoted her life to working for and with senior citizens. She also enjoyed crocheting. She made many receiving blankets and caps for the newborn babies at Madelia Community Hospital. She blessed her family and friends with her afghans and baby blankets. She was the connection for her classmates of the Class of 45, with emails and organized their yearly gatherings. Ardys was preceded in death by her husband Ray in 1990, her parents and a sister Alice Bjerke. She is survived by her daughter Julie Peterson of St. James, son Curtis (Kim) Peterson of Windom, brother-in-law Keith Bjerke of North Mankato, nephews Rob Bjerke of North Mankato and Chad (Tara) Bjerke of Waseca.