Muriel M. Peterson

MURIEL M. PETERSON March 13, 1931 - December 28, 2014 Muriel M. Peterson, age 83 of Menahga, MN formerly of Park Rapids, peacefully entered eternity on Sunday, December 28th, 2014 with her loved ones at her side at the CHI St. Joseph's Area Hospital in Park Rapids. Muriel was born on March 13, 1931 in Watertown, South Dakota to Cyril and Ruth (Bucholz) Rogers. As a small girl she moved with her family to South St. Paul, MN where she attended public schools. As an excellent student, Muriel was very involved in school life. She was very talented musically and sang in the choir, played both the piano and accordion and participated in the Glee Club. She was also an early pioneer in women's athletics and was an active member of the Girls Athletic Association. As a senior, she was elected by her fellow classmates as Homecoming Queen. Muriel graduated from the South St. Paul High School with the Class of 1949. She married her high school sweetheart, Raymond Gust Bortz in 1951. They were blessed with three daughters: Linda, Gayle and Pamela. Muriel devoted herself to making a warm and loving home for her family. She was a wonderful cook and baker who will be long remembered for her delicious tator tot hotdish and homemade lasagna. In addition to caring for her family, Muriel worked as secretary for Swift and Co. Meat Packing in South St. Paul and as secretary for the South St. Paul Superintendent of Schools and the school library. She and Ray moved northward in 1977 and made their home on beautiful Upper Bottle Lake north of Park Rapids. Muriel worked for a time with the Headwaters Nutrition Project and later with Hubbard County Social Services until her retirement in 1993. She married Thomas Peterson in 2004 and they enjoyed making their home on Lake Belle Taine near Nevis. Together, they enjoyed serving as foster grandparents for the Park Rapids Century School. Failing health caused her to become a resident of the Green Pine Acres Nursing Home in Menahga in 2008. Muriel was a member of the Riverside United Methodist Church in Park Rapids. She was an avid bowler and enjoyed participating on the Women's Bowling League where she was a member of the prestigous "600 Club". She also spent many hours nurturing her gardens into beautiful splendor and enjoyed being a member of the Park Rapids Garden Club. Her love for music brought her together with another musician, Mary Geddes and for a number of years they entertained many with their music as a duo called "The Pnuematics". Above all, Muriel treasured the time spent with her daughters and creating many wonderful memories with her grandchildren who she supported in school and family activities. Muriel will be lovingly remembered by her daughters: Linda (Mike) McMorrow of Park Rapids, MN, Gayle (Dave) Brodt of Pequot Lakes, MN and Pamela (Brad Van Buskirk) Albee of Park Rapids; her seven dearly loved grandchildren: Christopher Albee, Patrick (Silvana) Albee, Erin Johnson, Abbie (Matthew) Henry, Frank Brodt, Kevin McMorrow and McKenzie (Jason) Eilers; six precious great grandchildren; one brother, Verlyn (Janice) Rogers of Park Rapids as well as numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. She was preceded in death by her parents and her husbands: Ray and Thomas. Services will be held 11 AM, Saturday, January 10, 2015 at the Riverside United Methodist Church in Park Rapids with the Rev. Lee Kantonen officiating. Linda Szuszitsky will be the organist. Congregational hymns will be: "In The Garden" and "Amazing Grace". Special music will be provided by her grandson, Chris Albee. Her urnbearers will be her grand children: Christopher Albee, Patrick Albee, Erin Johnson, Abbie Henry, Frank Brodt, Kevin McMorrow and McKenzie Eilers. Inurnment will be made at the Riverside Memorial Garden. Visitation will begin at 10:30 on Saturday at the church. A lunch will be hosted by the church following the service. To view the video tribute or to leave on line condolences please visit www.jonespearson.com