Dolores Elaine Peters

Dolores Elaine (Smith) Peters was born August 27, 1935, to James W. and Esther (Jensen) Smith in Jackson, Minn. She passed away peacefully on May 23, 2023 in Onamia, Minn at Mille Lacs Health System. She graduated from Jackson High School in 1953 and received her Bachelor of Science degree in from Mankato State College in 1955 where she majored in Education. On August 18, 1957, Dolores married Arnold D. Peters of Mountain Lake. They made their home in Mountain Lake where both were employed. She achieved her childhood dream of becoming a kindergarten teacher in Mountain Lake in 1955. Following 38 years in the profession, she retired from teaching in 1993. She was a life-time member of the National Education Association, the Minnesota Education Association and Mountain Lake Education Association.

She was named the “Outstanding Young Educator” by the Mountain Lake Jaycees, “Teacher of the Year” by her peers and appeared in Outstanding Young Women of America and Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers. Following retirement, she enjoyed volunteering in the first grade and helping in the preschool and Early Childhood Family Education.

Her hobbies included shopping with her daughter, reading, walking, water aerobics, music, bird watching, church and all of God’s wonderful world! Dolores enjoyed being active through daily walks and enjoying nature. She especially enjoyed her flower garden. She enjoyed and taught Bone Builders for several years. She embroidered tea towels as a favorite past time and she loved spending time with her children, grand-and-great grandchildren.

Dolores was the proud owner of a 1969 Camero rag-top convertible and belonged to several auto clubs. She was an avid reader and enjoyed doing crossword puzzles. She adored her little Yorkie, Chloe. Dolores’ faith in God was an integral part of her life. A special joy to her was meeting and visiting with her former kindergarteners – how proud she was of them all!

Dolores is survived by her sister, Dorothy Elness, sister in-laws Elma (Wolf) and Evelyn (Peters); a daughter, Julie (Bill) Hill of Onamia, Minn. and a son, Dean Peters (Christine) of Austin, Minn. She is also survived by five grandchildren: William Hill III (Nicoline), Abbie (Hill) Rosenau (Dustin), Alizabeth (Hill) Osskopp (Tom), Evan Peters and Aiden Peters and five great grandchildren: Will, Jack, Charlie, Nicholas, and Theodore.

She is preceded in death by her parents, three brothers, two sisters, her husband, and a great grandchild.

Visitation will be on Monday, June 26, 2023, from 10:00 am to 11:00 am at the First United Methodist, Windom. Memorial Service will be held at the First United Methodist, Windom, on Monday, June 26, 2023, at 11:00 am with a luncheon to immediately follow in the fellowship hall of the church. The clergy will be Rev. David Lick.

She will be dearly missed.