Ruth Anita Hansen Petersen, 92

Ruth Anita Hansen Petersen was born April 25, 1919, in Coulter, Iowa, to Ole and Christena (Berthelsen) Hansen, and was baptized in the hospital at one day old.  She was raised on the family farm, attended country school, was confirmed at Nazareth Lutheran Church in Coulter, and graduated from Alexander High School.  She attended Dana College in Blair, Nebraska, for one year and the Lutheran Bible Institute in Minneapolis for two years.

On June 7, 1944, she was united in marriage to Kenneth H. Petersen at Nazareth Lutheran in Coulter.  A week after their marriage, Kenneth was ordained and they accepted their first call to Spring Valley and Turkey Valley churches in Viborg, South Dakota.  Throughout Kenneth’s ministry Ruth was an active partner and together they served  St. Peter’s & Hazelwood Lutheran (Northfield 1946-53), LuVerne and Hofva Lutheran (North Dakota 1953-57), Shelby Lutheran (Iowa 1957-59), Our Savior’s Lutheran (Owatonna 1959-66), Trinity and Thompson Valley Lutheran (Mondovi, Wisconsin 1966-69), Grace Lutheran (Marshfield, Wisconsin 1969-75) and Bethel and St. John’s Lutheran (Marion, Wisconsin 1975-82).  In retirement, they moved to Northfield and again became members of St. Peter’s.

Ruth was a member of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church where she had been active in Circle, WELCA, Bible Study and organizing a widow’s group that shared time and had fun.  She enjoyed being involved in her community, baking, crocheting and macrame.  Known for her infectious laugh, Ruth was a positive and joyous person, faith-filled, with a spirit that touched others.    

Survivors include her children: Lila and husband Mike Fagan of Aurora, Illinois, Alice and husband Leon Neve of St. Paul, Paul and wife Renee of Muskegon, Michigan; 9 grandchildren and their spouses: Emily Fagan of Evanston, Illinois, Hans and Becky Neve of Maplewood, Niels Neve and Darlene Knutson of Rochester, Anna and Moses White of St. Paul, Ingrid Neve and Amber Peterson of New Brighton, Elizabeth and Mike Van Dop McDaniel of Grandville, Michigan, Jonathan and Darcie Van Dop of Rosebush, Michigan, Brooke Petersen and Josh Brown of Chicago, Lindsey Petersen and fiance Aaron Rogers of Chicago; 9 great-grandchildren: Grant, Isabelle, Tony, Keyera, Brianna, Grace, Jacob, Alexis and Connor;  her sister-in-law, Janice Hansen of Minnetonka; and other relatives and friends.   She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, and her brother Robert P. Hansen.

Ruth passed away on Saturday morning, April 7, 2012, at the Care Center of the Northfield Retirement Community, at the age of 92.

Funeral services will be 11:00AM Wednesday, April 11, 2012, at the Chapel of the Northfield Retirement Community with Revs. Brooke Petersen, Kristine Braaten-Lee and Craig Ellingboe officiating.  Music will be provided by Daniel Fenn.  Interment will be in Northfield Cemetery.  Casket bearers will be Mark Witt, John Witt, Ben Witt, Hans Neve, Niels Neve and Jonathan Van Dop.  Visitation will being at 9:30AM on Wednesday at the chapel.

Memorials are preferred to the Northfield Retirement Community Foundation.

Arrangements are with the Benson & Langehough Funeral Home.