Obituary for Gloria Eloise Petersen (Thompson)
Petersen, Gloria Eloise (Thompson), age 94, of Mound, MN, passed away peacefully in her home surrounded by family on June 16, 2023.
She was born in Minneapolis, MN, on August 9, 1928, a daughter of Amos and Elsie (Narland) Thompson.
She is survived by her husband of 73 years, Byron H. Petersen, her high school sweetheart; children Jay(Heidi), Gail Brown (David), Kristin Haring (Kevin Spencer), Julie (Steven Ross); 11 grandchildren and their spouses; and 13 great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents and five older siblings and their spouses, and her son-in-law Philip Haring.
Mom was the youngest of six, born eight years after the others. She always said she felt loved and cherished by her family.
Mom graduated in 1946 from Central High School in Minneapolis. After a year at the University of Minnesota she attended Miss Wood’s Training School for Teachers of Young Children. Upon earning her teaching certificate she earned her bachelor’s degree at Miss Woods, which was then part of Macalester College. She taught kindergarten and first grade until her second child was born, and then devoted herself to providing a loving, nurturing home for her family.
Mom and Dad lived a full and active life. They enjoyed running, boating, cross-country and downhill skiing, along with car camping and travel.
Mom and Dad had a lifetime of volunteerism. She volunteered at Mount Olivet Rolling Acres, they both tutored for several years at Shirley Hills Elementary School, they delivered Meals on Wheels, and made weekly visits to residents of Presbyterian Homes for over 25 years. They were given the senior volunteer of the year award.
Mom was a person of deep faith. She was active in the church all of her life. She was a Sunday school teacher, helped in the nursery, was a member of Women’s Circle groups, and enjoyed bible study groups for many years. She was a very active member of the prayer shawl knitting group at St. John’s Lutheran Church.
There is nothing that could be changed that could make the life that Mom lived be more important to those who have known her. Caring, kind, and thoughtful, the loving and nurturing family that she was born into modeled the life that she created for us and all others who were blessed to have known her. Her legacy will be the love given to others by those she has loved.
Services will be held on Monday, June 26, 2023, at 11:00am, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Mound, MN. Visitation will begin at 10:00am. Luncheon to follow in the fellowship hall. Private interment will be held at Lakewood Cemetary in Minneapolis.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. John’s Lutheran Church prayer shawl knitting group, or to the charity of your choice.
She was born in Minneapolis, MN, on August 9, 1928, a daughter of Amos and Elsie (Narland) Thompson.
She is survived by her husband of 73 years, Byron H. Petersen, her high school sweetheart; children Jay(Heidi), Gail Brown (David), Kristin Haring (Kevin Spencer), Julie (Steven Ross); 11 grandchildren and their spouses; and 13 great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents and five older siblings and their spouses, and her son-in-law Philip Haring.
Mom was the youngest of six, born eight years after the others. She always said she felt loved and cherished by her family.
Mom graduated in 1946 from Central High School in Minneapolis. After a year at the University of Minnesota she attended Miss Wood’s Training School for Teachers of Young Children. Upon earning her teaching certificate she earned her bachelor’s degree at Miss Woods, which was then part of Macalester College. She taught kindergarten and first grade until her second child was born, and then devoted herself to providing a loving, nurturing home for her family.
Mom and Dad lived a full and active life. They enjoyed running, boating, cross-country and downhill skiing, along with car camping and travel.
Mom and Dad had a lifetime of volunteerism. She volunteered at Mount Olivet Rolling Acres, they both tutored for several years at Shirley Hills Elementary School, they delivered Meals on Wheels, and made weekly visits to residents of Presbyterian Homes for over 25 years. They were given the senior volunteer of the year award.
Mom was a person of deep faith. She was active in the church all of her life. She was a Sunday school teacher, helped in the nursery, was a member of Women’s Circle groups, and enjoyed bible study groups for many years. She was a very active member of the prayer shawl knitting group at St. John’s Lutheran Church.
There is nothing that could be changed that could make the life that Mom lived be more important to those who have known her. Caring, kind, and thoughtful, the loving and nurturing family that she was born into modeled the life that she created for us and all others who were blessed to have known her. Her legacy will be the love given to others by those she has loved.
Services will be held on Monday, June 26, 2023, at 11:00am, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Mound, MN. Visitation will begin at 10:00am. Luncheon to follow in the fellowship hall. Private interment will be held at Lakewood Cemetary in Minneapolis.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. John’s Lutheran Church prayer shawl knitting group, or to the charity of your choice.