Ruth Peterson

Ruth Barnes Peterson, age 96, of Andover, died peacefully on Thursday, April 13, 2017, at Arbor Oaks Senior Living in Andover, Minnesota.

A memorial service will be 11:00 am Friday, June 9, 2017, at the Janesville United Methodist Church, with a visitation one hour prior. Interment will be in the Janesville Cemetery. Memorials preferred to the Alzheimers Association or Janesville Methodist Church.

Ruth was from Janesville, Minnesota. She was born in Valley City, North Dakota on November 4, 1920, to Charles Norman Barnes and Alice Barnes. She was the oldest of three children. Her younger sister Mary Kerns (Wayne) preceded her in death. Her sister Viola Hanson (Harry) lives in Blaine, Ohio.

Ruth was raised in Lowden, Iowa, where she graduated from high school in 1938. She attended Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to study practical nursing.

Ruth and Lyle Banker Peterson were united in marriage in Wickenburg, Arizona, on December 21, 1943. They lived in California while Lyle was in the Army Air Corps. In 1948, they returned to Lyles hometown in Janesville, Minnesota, where Lyle established a business as owner of Janesville Body Shop, and Ruth worked as a telephone operator. Later she was the bookkeeper for their business. She also worked in later years at the Janesville Cahill Pharmacy.

Following retirement, Ruth and Lyle became involved in the Gem Show Circuit from 1981 through 2000. Ruth and Lyle were longtime members of the Janesville Methodist Church.

When Lyle moved into the Waseca Lakeshore Nursing Home in Waseca, Ruth moved into the adjoining Latham Place Assisted Living. Upon Lyles death, Ruth moved to Arbor Oaks Senior Living in Andover, Minnesota, to be closer to family.

She is survived by her children Gail (Theo) Cowdin of Bella Vista, AR, and Ralph (Michelle) Peterson of Maple Grove, four grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, her sister, Viola, and other nieces, nephews and extended relatives and friends.

Husband, Lyle, and her parents preceded her in death.

Arrangements are being completed by Starkson & Steffel Funeral & Cremation Services ~ Arnoldt Chapel of Janesville.