Gwen Marie Peterson

Gwen Marie Peterson, age 61, died May 24, 2016 at Methodist Hospital in Saint Louis Park, Minn. after a long battle with cancer. She was born December 28, 1954 in Saint Paul to Donald and Alice (Bourgette) Bender. She grew up in the Saint Paul area and attended the College of Saint Catherine where she graduated with a degree in nursing. Gwen met Wayne Peterson at the Mall of America and they were married about six months later on June 14, 1997. They made their home on the Peterson family farm in Welch. She worked for various school districts over the years including the West Saint Paul School District, Red Wing School District, Dakota County and the Goodhue Public School System. She greatly enjoyed being a nurse and was passionate about the work she did and the help she provided to children in schools. She was a member of the Cross of Christ Church and played SKR Softball. She loved antique shopping and taking family vacations to the Boundary Waters. She was a loving and gracious mother and wife. She would always go above and beyond to help her children, husband and friends. Most of all, Gwen will be remembered for her overwhelming positive personality and can-do attitude.

Gwen will be missed by many including her husband, Wayne; three sons, Samuel Peterson of Welch, Aaron (Tia) Speak of Cottage Grove, and David Speak of Saint Paul; one daughter, Rachel Peterson, of Welch; four grandchildren; two brothers, Mike (Gerda) Bender of Cottage Grove, Steve (Beth) Bender of Burnsville; one sister, Cathy (Gary) Hanson of Oakdale; and many nieces, nephews, other family members and many friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; grandparents, Frank and Mary Bender and George and Ida Bourgette; and infant sister, Connie Bender.

Memorial service will be Saturday, May 28, 2016 at the Cross of Christ Church, Welch at 11 a.m. Visitation will be Friday, May 27, 2016 at Mahn Family Funeral Home-Bodelson Mahn Chapel from 4-7 p.m. and one hour prior to service. The family would like to thank the staff, nurses and Dr. Melissa Sherman at the Methodist Hospital for the compassionate care they provided Gwen. Online condolences can be left for the family at www.mahnfamilyfuneralhome.com.

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Visitation

MAY 27. 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM (CDT)

Mahn Family Funeral Home, Bodelson-Mahn Chapel
602 Plum Street P.O. Box 111
Red Wing, MN 55066

Visitation

MAY 28. 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM (CDT)

Cross of Christ Lutheran Church
24036 Cty 7
Welch, MN 55089

Memorial Service

MAY 28. 11:00 AM (CDT)

Cross of Christ Lutheran Church
24036 Cty 7
Welch, MN 55089