Ethel M. Pettersen

Ethel Mildred Hennis was born April 23, 1924 on a farm in Fieldon Township near Madelia, Minnesota to William Hennis and Josephine Tisler Hennis where she was one of twelve children. Ethel attended rural elementary school graduating from Madelia High School in 1942. After graduation she worked in the Twin Cities until 1945 when she moved to Cylinder, Iowa where she operated a restaurant with her sister Marion. In 1949 Ethel moved back to Minnesota and married Robert Pettersen. They farmed together for the next 35 years and raised two children: Leslie and James. Robert passed away in 1984. In 1986, she met Robert Johnson and they had a friendship that lasted until his death in 2008. Ethels hobby was gardening. She would make a few more passes into the lawn with the tiller every year to make that garden just a little larger. She would sell the produce at a local farmers market or just give it away to friends and relatives. Her specialty was pickles. Ethel M. Pettersen age 94, of Madelia, MN died on August 2, 2018, at the Luther Memorial Home in Madelia. Ethel is survived by a son, Jim and his wife Myra; brother, Ralph (Vivian) Hennis; grandchildren, Brittany Pettersen, Darren Pettersen, Chad (Amber) Castle, Adam (Amanda) Castle; great-grandchildren, Brantley Pettersen, Logan, Carly, Taylor, and Mason Castle; numerous nieces and nephews, and her dog pal Louie. She was preceded in death by her husband Bob; special friend Robert Johnson; son Leslie; daughter-in-law, Carol; sisters, Rose, Irene, Marian, Florence, and Louise; brothers, Elmer, Clarence, Earl, Joe, and Lyle. Visitation 1 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm Monday, August 6, 2018 Sturm Funeral Home, Pilgrim Chapel 303 E. Main St. Madelia, Minnesota, United States 56062 Visitation 2 9:00 am - 10:00 am Tuesday, August 7, 2018 Sturm Funeral Home, Pilgrim Chapel 303 E. Main St. Madelia, Minnesota, United States 56062 Service Information 10:00 am Tuesday, August 7, 2018 Sturm Funeral Home, Pilgrim Chapel 303 E. Main St. Madelia, Minnesota, United States 56062 Interment Information Riverside Cemetery, Madelia East, Co. Hwy 3, Flanders Ave. Madelia, Minnesota, United States 56062 Reception A luncheon will take place at the United Methodist Church - Madelia immediately following interment.