Alida Bernice Petersen

Alida Bernice Petersen, age 95, of Mankato died, Saturday, June 28, 2008 at Immanuel St. Joseph's Hospital in Mankato.

Memorial service will be 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, July 2, 2008 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Mankato with Rev. Arne Jessen officiating. Burial will be in Woodland Hills Memorial Park. A time of visitation with the family will follow the service at church on Wednesday. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Bethlehem Lutheran Church. Mankato Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Alida was born on January 17, 1913 in Petersburg Township, Jackson County, Minnesota to Albert and Bertha (Herbranson) Gilbert. She was a 1931 graduate of Petersburg High School. On July 4, 1933 she was united in marriage to Lester P. Petersen. The couple made their home in Petersburg where they farmed until 1955 before moving to Mankato. While in Petersburg, Alida was also a 4H leader and a school bus driver. In Mankato, Alida made drapes for various decorators for over 40 years. She was a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church for over 50 years, and in 1961 served as President of the Ladies Auxiliary. Family and friends enjoyed spending time at the Duck Lake Cottage for over 24 years. Alida and Lester enjoyed traveling in their motor home and wintering in Arizona.

She is survived by her four children, Janice (Richard) Holzapfel of Kyle, TX, Jeanette Ahl of Bismark, ND, Phyllis (Paul) Mundahl of Kyle, TX, and Donald D. Petersen of Escondido, CA; 13 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; infant daughter; husband, Lester in 1984; son and daughter-in-law, Robert and Juanita Petersen; daughter-in-law, Carole Petersen; one sister; five brothers.