Jean Peterson

Jean Justine (Webskowski) Peterson was born April 8, 1934 at home near Millerville, MN the sixth of nine children born to Joseph and Barbara (Korkowski) Webskowski. Jean was baptized and confirmed at Our Lady of Seven Dolars in Millerville, MN. She attended District 72 country school and then graduated from Brandon High School in 1952. Following high school Jean moved to Alexandria and started her career in banking at First Farmers National Bank. While attending dances at Hillside in Alexandria she met Harvey Peterson, whom she wed on October 6, 1956 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Alexandria. Jean continued her banking career in Hopkins and Moorhead. In 1962 they landed in Wheaton and became permanent residents, raising their three children here. In 1972 Jean returned to banking at 1^st State Bank/Community First Bank where she climbed the ladder from Teller to Cashier/Operations Office, with just a high school diploma and a lot of determination.

Over the years Jean enjoyed golfing, fishing, playing cards, ceramics, gardening, knitting, crocheting and embroidering dish towels-hundreds of them! Although her pace slowed down she was still working on a dish towel at the end. Even when she was working full time, there was always a home cooked meal for supper and her house was immaculate.

Jean was involved at her church and in the community. Her passion was the American Cancer Society for which she was the treasurer for a number of years. She loved Daffodil Days, Love Lights a Tree and the Longest Day of Golf which she participated in twice. In 1990 as the second highest total money raised in the state of Minnesota, she along with three other ladies, had the privilege of golfing a round at Hazeltine – home of the 1991 PGA.

Once retired, Jean and Harvey went on a few bus trips and even went to Arizona for a month one winter, but their favorite get away was their cabin on Mill Lake by Alexandria. Jean treasured all the time she got to spend with her grandkids at the lake, playing cards and games. Jean loved her Minnesota Twins and she tolerated the other Minnesota sports teams in the off season.

In July of 2020 Jean entered the Traverse Care Center. While there she enjoyed playing Bingo, attending Friday Mass and all the new friendships she developed with her care givers. Jean was called home to heaven on Sunday, January 28, 2024. She is now pain free and reunited with a host of family.

Jean is survived by her children: Greg (Mary) Peterson of Ortonville, Minnesota; Lynette Bruns of Morris, Minnesota; and Jeff (Karyn) Peterson of Dumont, Minnesota; grandchildren: Erin (Rina), Michael (Emily), Kaitlin, Jordan, Nicole, Ashlee, Benjamyn, Lyla and Teddy; great-grandchildren: Lenora, Louise and one due in July; sister Phyllis (Lee) Susanka; brother Allen; special friend Roxy Hess; Godchildren: Sue, Bill, Sherry and Joy; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Jean was preceded in death by her husband of fifty-one years, Harvey; son-in-law Dennis; grandson Billy; parents Joseph and Barbara Webskowski; parents-in-law John and Alice Peterson; siblings: Emeline and Arlene Webskowski; Marian (Austin) Kelly; Elphege (Jenny) Webskowski; Evelyn (Bud) Skrove; Edith (Mert) Larson; sisters-in-law: Marlys (Bud) Hanson and Kathleen Webskowski; and nephews: Adam, Don and Paul.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, February 3, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. at Ave Maria Catholic Church in Wheaton with Fr. Stanley Wieser Celebrant. Organist will be Marcy LeClair.

Visitation will be held Friday, February 2^nd from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with a 7:00 p.m. Prayer Service at the Bainbridge Funeral Home in Wheaton. Visitation will continue Saturday afternoon, one hour prior to service time at the church.

Interment will be in Wildwood Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Jean’s grandchildren: Erin Peterson, Michael Peterson, Kaitlin Bruns, Jordan Bruns, Nicole Bruns, Ashlee Bruns, Benjamyn Peterson, Lyla Peterson and Teddy Peterson.