Mary Peterson

Mary Peterson, 57, Barney, ND, passed away Dec. 24, 2014, at CHI St. Francis Health, Breckenridge, MN, after a long and courageous battle with cancer, surrounded by her loving family. The Funeral Mass will be Monday, 10:00 a.m., at St. John's Catholic Church, Wahpeton, with Rev. Dale Lagodinski celebrant. The visitation will be Sunday at the church from 3 PM to 5 PM, with a 5 PM Prayer Vigil. There will also be visitation Monday, one hour before the service at the church. Interment will be at Fairview Memorial Gardens, Wahpeton. Arrangements have been entrusted with Vertin-Munson Funeral Home, Wahpeton.

Mary was born June 19, 1957 in Breckenridge, MN, the daughter of Robert and Virginia (Kieffer) Krause. She grew up near Mooreton, ND, where she attended elementary school. She graduated from Wahpeton High School and was united in marriage to Ralph Peterson on Dec. 13, 1975. The couple lived in Barney where they raised their family. Mary worked for Meade & Sons, Sweetheart Bakery, Wahpeton Deli, and Mrs. J's, all of Wahpeton. Mary dedicated many years holding offices with Southeast Firefighters Association, and North Dakota Firefighters Association, including serving as State President. She was also a 25 year member of Barney Fire Department.

Mary was a member of St. John's Catholic Church, Wyndmere Ambulance Board and Barney Park Board. She received several plaques and awards for time served in various organizations.
She was a relentless volunteer and organizer for many fund raising benefits in the area for friends and acquaintances.

Mary is survived by her husband, Ralph, Barney, ND; five children: Jennifer (Anthony) Hermes, Langford, SD; Matthew (Jessica) Peterson, Hankinson, ND; AnnaJo (Allen) Berg, Abercrombie, ND; Teresa (Matt) Schiltz, Wahpeton; Sammantha Peterson (fiancé Travis Hansel), Langdon, ND; five grandchildren: Dylan Peterson, Liberty Hermes, Lilyan Hermes, Ella Peterson and Lola Hermes, five brothers and sisters: Leo Krause, Shafer, MN, Raymond Krause, Wahpeton, David Krause, Ray, ND, Betty (Tom) Pawlak, Wahpeton, Dora (Steve) Selle, Ray, ND; Norma Mousloff (Aunt), Barney, ND, Delores Peterson (mother-in-law), Breckenridge MN; and brothers, sisters, many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Virginia Krause, a grandson, Collin Schiltz, and a father-in-law, Lloyd Peterson.