Lou Ann (Murray) Peterson, age 85, passed away on Monday, December 9, 2019 at the Laurens Care Center.

Lou Ann Murray was born on February 18, 1934 in Curlew, Iowa. She was the oldest of 5 children born to Joseph M. And Celia Francis (Sprong) Murray. She grew up in Ayrshire and Laurens. Lou Ann moved to Sioux Rapids before her senior year in high school, where she lived with a family, worked full-time in the drug store, and went to school. She graduated from high school in 1951. After graduation, she moved to and became the city clerk of Marathon. In the summer of 1953, she went on a blind double date with Bill Peterson, his brother Dewayne and his girlfriend (soon to be wife) Pearl Tiernan. Bill has just returned from serving in the Army in Korea. It was love at first sight and they eloped to Blue Earth, Minnesota on October 3, 1953. They were married for 60 years. They were blessed with four children: Rebecca Lynn, Damon William, Lori Lou, and Brent James. Bill and Lou Ann settled on a farm by Pocahontas and helped Bill's parents farm. Bill also worked for area farmers and Lou Ann worked in the Pine Room. In 1955, they purchased the Little Clear Lake School house and remodeled it for their family home. Bill then started working in Laurens, so in 1959, they had the school house moved to the east side of Laurens, where it was their home until 2014. While her children were small, Lou Ann did ironing and cleaned houses. In 1965, Lou Ann started working part time at M & JR Hakes and sons. In 1969, she started full time in the produce department, as a telephone salesman. At the time, she was the only female to hold a sales position. Lou Ann eventually transferred to being the switchboard operator at the Hakes/Scrivner/Fleming warehouse until she retired. While raising their family, Bill and Lou Ann took their children camping to many places in Minnesota and the Iowa Great Lakes. Their favorite being Gullpoint State Park on West Okoboji. They also taught their children and grandchildren how to play many different card games, which they spent
hours together playing.Lou Ann loved to watch her kids and grandkids in their sports, speech, and music activities while they were in high school and college. One of her favorite things was to make costumes for her grandchildren for Halloween, speech and History Day competitions. Lou Ann and Bill's house was where many family and friend gatherings were held and it was "home" to their cousins, nieces and nephews over the years. Lou Ann was the last of the 22 Peterson brothers, sisters, and in-laws. She had over 40 nieces and nephews and loved them all.After retiring, Lou Ann and Bill finally got to travel together. They visited relatives in South Dakota, California, Texas, Arizona, and Colorado. They also got to enjoy their grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Lou Ann was very involved in the United Methodist Church over the years. She taught Sunday school for years and helped with the Wednesday after school community church program. Many of the children at the church know her as the "Sucker Lady", as she always kept dum dums in her purse and handed them out at church on Sundays. Lou Ann made many special friends in her church work, where she volunteered in multiple areas until her heath prevented it.

Lou Ann is survived by her children: Rebecca Braesch, Laurens, Lori (Scott) Darrow, Newell, and Brent Peterson, Laurens. Her sister, Lois (Cookie) Hall, Hoquim, Wa. Her grandchildren: Joe (Stacy Maciel) Braesch, Blue Springs, Mo., Betsy (Wes) Sharp, Indianola, Morgan (Phillip) Miller, Vinton, Spencer Darrow, Chicago, Il., Teah Peterson, Omaha, Ne. Her great-grandchildren: Kyla and Kaelen Braesch, Gwendolyn and Foster Sharp, McKenna Miller, and Olivia Maciel.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Bill, son Damon, son in law, Bob Braesch; parents Joseph and Francis Murray, brother, Bob, sister in law, Margaret, sisters: Sharon (in infancy) and Janie, and all 10 of Bill's siblings and their spouses.