Lois Petersen

Lois Petersen, 91, of Merrifield, died, following many years of Alzheimers, Wednesday, October 24, 2012 at Cuyuna Regional Medical Center in Crosby. Services will be held at 11:00 AM, Monday, October 29, 2012 at the Brenny Funeral Chapel in Baxter. Family and friends are invited to gather Sunday evening from 5-7 PM at the Brenny Funeral Chapel and one hour prior to services on Monday. A lunch will follow.

Lois was born March 7, 1921, in Princeton, MN, the daughter of Robert C. and Linnie M. (Curtis) King. Lois lived in Nisswa for many years before moving to Merrifield in 1975. She has resided at the Cuyuna Regional Medical Center Care Center since 2008. Lois worked a number of jobs to support her family. In 1982, she retired from the Brainerd State Hospital as a Psychiatric Technician, a job she truly loved. Lois was an excellent baker and made beautiful cakes - many for weddings.

She is survived by eight children, Judy (Robert) Gakin, of Merrifield, Linda (Darryl) Norlund, of Zimmerman, Donna Burrows, of Grand Forks, ND, Roy (Kathy) Petersen, of Minneapolis, Rodger Petersen, of Brainerd, Teresa Young, of New Mexico, Alice (Bruce) Pratt, of Waverly, GA, and Pamela (Jeffrey) Addison, of Merrifield; grandchildren, Robin (Kurt) Loftis, Ronald Gakin, Stuart (Carol) Gakin, Shawne (Terri) McCarthy, Jeffrey (Sue) McCarthy, Allisia (Steven) Kreger, Lindsey Norlund, Troy Petersen, Thor (Candy) Freeburg, Tyrone Freeburg, Taya (Robert) Dewitt, Victoria (John) Owens, Darryl Kula, Nicolle Kula, Christine (Tim) Oleary, Chase (Stephanie) Dunemann, Jason Addison, Adam Addison; three step-grandchildren, Ryan Norlund, Ronny-Marie Taylor, and Tara (Taylor) Holtz; great-grandchildren, Luke (Johnna) Loftis, Kaycee Loftis, Allen Gakin, Renae Gakin, Brianna Gakin, Thomas McCarthy, Ann Marie McCarthy, Samantha McCarthy, Hannah McCarthy, Benjamin Petersen, Brandon Petersen, Brittany Freeburg, Breanna Freeburg, Zachary Freeburg, Christian Freeburg, Noah Freeburg, Brady Freeburg, Justice Dewitt, Damien Dewitt, Ashley Petersen, Justine Petersen, Dakota Owens, Amanda Kula, Anthony Kula, Haley Kula, Isaiah Kula, Gabriel Kilman, Joseph Rosario, Trinity Rosario, Logan Kreger, Lacie Jo Kreger, Ashton Oleary, Nolan Oleary, Landon Dunemann, Liam Dunemann, Hunter Holtz, Aiden Holtz, Mason Holtz, Aurora Addison, and unborn great-granddaughter, Aubrey Norlund; two step-great-granddaughters, Teddy and Alexa Eggen; two other little girls who called her grandma - Makenzie and Morgan Blazevic; great-great-grandchildren, Cora McCarthy, Hartley McCarthy, Paige Freeburg, and Zayne Freeburg; siblings, Donald King, of Brainerd, Dwight (Bonnie) King, of Brainerd, Elsie Pickar, of Menahga, and Joyce Smith, of Backus; and many nephews and nieces.

Lois was preceded in death by her parents; twin infants, James Alfred and Jane Annette; sisters, Alice Smith, Laura (Patricia) Loerzel, Wanda Zumbrunnen, and Sadie Laflex; brothers, Robert (Claude) King, Milton King, and Merton (Bob) King; grandson, Shane Arthur Petersen; and great-grandson, Robert Allen Gakin.

Lois was loved by many and will be greatly missed. A Special thank you to the Nurses and staff at Cuyuna Regional Care Center and Dr. Cousins and Dr. Peterson for the wonderful care they provided Lois while she was a resident.