Dolores Ardyce Peterson

Dolores Ardyce Peterson, age 83, of Madelia, MN peacefully passed from this life to the next on Wednesday, May 13, 2020, at Mayo Clinic Health System in Mankato, MN. Due to restrictions of public gatherings, a private service will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church-Madelia for immediate family only. The clergy will be Rev. Krista Strum. Interment will be at the Riverside Cemetery in Madelia. Arrangements are with the Sturm Funeral Home, Pilgrim Chapel in Madelia. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.sturmfh.com. Dolores Ardyce (Jorgenson) Peterson was born on March 1, 1937, at her parent's home in rural Hanska, MN to James and Hulda (nee Hoeper) Jorgenson. Dolores is survived by her loving husband of 62 years, Harold L. Peterson; children Mark (Cheri) Peterson, Joan Peterson, Tim Peterson, and John (Linda) Peterson; grandchildren Erin (Eric) Fauzie, Kyle (Kristen) Ruopsa, Kelly (Andrew) Gilb, Matthew Peterson, Jordan Peterson, Amara Peterson, Luke Peterson, and great grandchildren Hailey and Levi Kriesel, Oliver Fauzie, and Lincoln Gilb. She is also survived by her siblings, Lorraine Nelson, Phyllis Imlay, Rick (Sharon) Jorgenson, Rosie (Jerry) Haber and Rhonda (Kenneth) Kahler and nieces, nephews and other relatives. She was preceded in death by her parents; siblings James Jorgenson Jr, Harley Jorgenson, and Gladys Kuitunen, and daughter Jennifer Ann Peterson. They lovingly welcomed her with Jesus Christ into their arms on that merciful, glorious day. Dolores was a country girl from birth, growing up on the family farm and attending a one-room schoolhouse in Goshen, MN until the 7th grade. Kids would call her "Snow Ball" due to her white hair. She chose to attend Madelia Junior High School. She graduated from Madelia High School in 1955. She married Harold on August 24, 1957, at Zion Lutheran Church in Hanska, MN. They made a perfect couple despite their vast difference in height. Dolores was very involved with youth ministry at Trinity Lutheran Church in Madelia, MN. She and Harold took a youth group to a Lutheran Youth Convention in Miami, FL where they listened to the immortal words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. She also sang in the Handel Messiah Choir in Mankato, MN. She was a talented woman with a gift of crochet that she learned as a child from a houseguest of her parents. People around the world have purchased "The Silver Hook" crocheted doilies. Dolores also worked various jobs over time. She worked for Brown Printing in New Ulm, MN, Richwell Furniture in Cokato, MN and JayDee Industries in Dassel, MN and others. Dolores loved the farm they moved to in rural Dassel, MN in 1971. She also had a gift for gardening as she had vast gardens of peonies, violet irises, strawberries, and many more beautiful creations. She raised a virtual Noah's ark of animals during that time. She loved the peace and serenity a country life brings. She and Harold traveled the world together including Norway, Canada, Guyana, the Cayman Islands and many of the 50 United States. When Harold became a Lutheran Minister late in life, she joyfully accepted her responsibilities of being a pastor's wife. When Harold would visit parishioner homes, she would bake a loaf of bread to give to them. She knew that Jesus is the Bread of Life. Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty." (John 6:35 NRSV) Interment Information Riverside Cemetery, Madelia East, Co. Hwy 3, Flanders Ave. Madelia, Minnesota, United States 56062