Mary Jane Peterson, 95, of Le Mars, Iowa, passed away on Friday, April 7, 2023, at Floyd Valley Healthcare in Le Mars. Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, April 12, 2023, at All Saints Catholic Parish - St. James Church in Le Mars. Father Bruce Lawler will celebrate Mass. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Le Mars. Visitation will begin at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday at St. James Church.
Mary Jane Peterson was born on April 16, 1927, in Le Mars, Iowa, the daughter of George and Margaret (Streng) Pehler. She was raised in Le Mars, graduating from Gehlen Catholic High School. After school, Mary Jane worked at a medical clinic located above the Royal Theater.
On September 1, 1954, Mary Jane and Darrell Peterson were united in marriage at St. James Catholic Church in Le Mars. They spent a few years in Storm Lake, Iowa before returning to Le Mars. Along with caring for her family, Mary Jane provided childcare in her home and later assisted in the Gehlen Catholic Schools cafeteria.
Mary Jane was an active member of St. James Catholic Church. She participated in numerous church functions and participated in the prayer chain. She was an avid reader and enjoyed cooking shows on TV. Mary Jane was also an accomplished seamstress and embroidered many things. In recent years, she became a Minnesota Twins baseball fan.
She will be lovingly remembered by her husband of nearly 70 years, Darrell Peterson of Le Mars, IA; two daughters, Ann (Larry) Luksan and Susan Peterson both of Le Mars, IA; grandchildren, Sara of Des Moines, IA, Angie of Le Mars, IA, Amanda (significant other, Jimmy Harris) of Sioux City, IA; great-grandchildren, Devon, Austin (significant other, Courtney Sitzmann), Ethan and Caiden; a great-great granddaughter, Haizlee; a sister-in-law, Betty Jean Peterson of Cyprus, CA; and several nieces and nephews.
Mary Jane was preceded in death by her parents; a son, Allan; brothers, George Allan, Max, James (Sandy) and John “Jack” Pehler; and her mother-in-law and father-in-law, Harry and Mabel (Carroll) Peterson.