Thora Peterson

Thora M. Peterson, age 101, of Wells and formerly of Waseca and Hartland, MN passed away on Sunday, February 21, 2016 at Parkview Care Center in Wells, Minnesota.

Memorial services will be held on Saturday, March 12, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at West Freeborn Lutheran Church in Freeborn County with Pastor Mark Hillmer and Pastor Roger Haug officiating. Interment will be held at West Freeborn Lutheran Cemetery.

Visitation will be held for one hour prior to services at the church on Saturday.

Arrangements are being completed by McRaith Funeral Home & Crematory in Waseca, Minnesota.

Thora Margaret, daughter of Hans and Emma (Jacobson) Madson, was born on May 30, 1914 on a farm near Hartland. She attended District 10 School south of Hartland. In September 1934, she was united in marriage to Chris Peterson and they were later divorced. She was a homemaker most of her life, taking care of her children and helping on the farm. In 1973, she moved to Waseca and worked at Birdseye until her retirement in 1980. Thora was an active member of the ladies aid at West Freeborn Lutheran Church.

Thora is survived by her children, Shirley (Larry) Cunningham of Oregon City, OR , Milt (Gwen) Peterson of Wells, MN, Betty Johnson of Wells, Bob (Julie) Peterson of rural Alden, MN, and Don (Connie) Peterson of Big Lake, MN; 13 grandchildren; 28 great grandchildren; 17 great-great grandchildren; and by many other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; ex-husband, Chris Peterson; son, Harold (Lois) Peterson; daughter, Darlene Emerson; son in infancy, Steven Peterson; grandchildren, Paul Johnson, Sheila Beaulieu, Mike Yauger, Mark Cunningham, and Cheryl Benedik; great grandson, Anthony Freiheit; special friend, Jack Larson; brother, Johnny (Harriet) Madson; and sister, Elnora (Albert) Richter.