Sally Peterson

Sally K. (Holley) Peterson, 72, Pequot Lakes, Minn., passed away Friday, Nov. 22, 2019, at her home. She was born May 19, 1947, in Brainerd to Arlo and Marvel (Maxson) Holley. She graduated from Litchfield High School in 1965 and earned her licensed practical nursing degree from Minneapolis VoTech School of the Arts in 1967. She married Gerald Peterson on Oct. 9, 1968, in Litchfield. They later divorced but remained lifelong friends. She became a registered nurse in Colorado and spent 17 years working at Boulder Community Hospital. She moved back to Pequot Lakes in 1986 to help care for her parents. She spent 25 years working in the emergency department at St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Brainerd, retiring in 2011.

Sal loved her life and told her friends this many times. She was a member of Glenda’s Clown Troupe and marched in many Pequot Lakes Fourth of July parades. She served on the Pequot Lakes Parks Commission and she supported the Pequot Lakes American Legion and its events. She traveled extensively and embraced every adventure. Exploring the Galapagos Islands and watching polar bears in the wild in Churchill, Manitoba, were two of her many spectacular trips. She was a regular Bocce player at Timberjack, and she never missed a Vikings game or a meat raffle with her friends at Lucky’s Tavern. She could be found at the Pequot Lakes dog park three times a day with her beloved pup, Jazzy.

She is survived by her two sisters, Vonnie Tweed, Pequot Lakes, and Sandy Simonson, Rochester; her sister-in-law, Sheila Holley, Pequot Lakes; and many nieces, nephews and their children who lovingly called her Auntie Salad.

Her brother, Cork Holley; infant sister, Sharon Holley; and her parents died earlier.

Sal despised funerals – too sad, she’d say – and she never wanted her family and friends subjected to attending her own. Instead, her last request is a party to celebrate her life, filled with “lots of laughter and fun.” Please join her family and friends to celebrate this special woman from 2-5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019, at Lucky’s Tavern in Pequot Lakes. Happy tears only, please. Sal wanted everyone to know she’s had an incredible life. No burial is planned.