Vivian H. Peterson

Vivian H. Peterson, age 89, of Faribault, MN, passed away September 10, 2023, at Faribault Senior Living.

Vivian Harriet was born on October 12, 1933, in Kenyon, MN, to Martin and Anna (Stueland) Swelland.  She graduated from Kenyon High School with the class of 1951.  Vivian attended Lutheran Bible School and the Minneapolis School of Beauty Culture.  She worked as a beautician in Minneapolis and St. Paul.  She was united in marriage to Harry L. Peterson on May 2, 1954, at Hauge Lutheran Church in Kenyon.  She had a very strong Christian faith and greatly enjoyed the role of Pastor’s wife from 1970-1996 in several parishes in Iowa: Garnavillo-Clayton, Waukee, Kensett, and Clermont.  She often said that she loved each of the congregations her husband served.  She was active in bible study, choir, and often played organ or piano for the services.  She developed many long-lasting friendships along the way and did her best to maintain those friendships even after leaving each of those congregations.  Vivian loved her family – kids and grandkids and great grandkids – the primary focus of her life.  She treasured her relationships with her siblings and families and her husband’s siblings and families.

She is survived by five children, Vian Gredvig (Ronald), Bruce Peterson, Mary Murillo (Victor), Charles Peterson (Christie), and Steve Peterson (Alyssa); eight grandchildren, Brandon Murillo (Katie), Marcus Murillo (Cydney), and Jayme Daly (Cameron), Andrea Gredvig and Jacob Gredvig, Dagen Peterson; Zoe Peterson and Kya Peterson; five great grandchildren, Michael Murillo and Kallie Murillo, Mya Murillo and Macy Murillo, and Robin Daly; three sisters, Dolores Hammer, Gladys Hernke, and Jean Lindaman (Byron); and many nieces and nephews she loved dearly.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Rev. Harry L. Peterson (2007); parents, Anna (Stueland) and Martin Swelland; six siblings, Marie and Frederick Grose, Norma and Merlin Golberg, Lincoln and Betty Swelland, Lillian and Phil Oelschlager, Marvin Swelland, and Donna Mae Swelland; brothers-in-law, Owen Hernke and Duane Hammer; and nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, September 15, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at the First English Lutheran Church, 204 2^nd St. NW, Faribault, with Rev. Mark Johnson, pastor, officiating.  Interment will be at the South Zumbro Lutheran Church Cemetery in Kasson, MN.

Visitation will be held on Friday from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. at the church.  There will be a luncheon at the church after the service prior to going to South Zumbro for the interment.

Memorials may be designated to First English Lutheran Church or the donor’s choice in memory of Vivian.