Mary Elizabeth Peterson

Mary E. Peterson, 94, of Fargo ND, passed away on March 9 2017 at Rosewood on Broadway, Fargo.

Mary Elizabeth Rueckert was born on January 10, 1923 on the family farm in Ayr ND, the daughter of George and Josephine (Pierce) Rueckert. She was baptized and confirmed at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Ayr ND, and graduated in 1940 from Ayr District School. Mary then graduated from Interstate Business College in Fargo ND. Following graduation, she took the train to Portland Oregon with several good friends to provide administrative support for the USO activities during WWII. Upon returning to Fargo, she held secretarial positions at the Cass County ASCS, Fargo Veterans Administration and NDSU.

She met Harris E. Peterson of Fargo ND, and they were united in marriage at Peace Lutheran Church in Fargo ND on October 2, 1954. They made their home in North Fargo with their son Paul. They were active members of the church and Mary proudly shared her talent of singing in the church choir for many years. She supported her husband, a WWII veteran, by participating in the DAV Auxiliary, and attending state and national conventions for the DAV, VFW and ND Iwo Jima Veterans Association. Mary loved playing the piano, singing, gardening, spending time with family outdoors and taking vacations. She loved to attend their son’s baseball and hockey games, and taking trips to the family farm. She was a caring & devoted wife and mother with a kind smile and a big heart.

Mary is survived by her son, Paul (Paula) Peterson of Fargo ND; many nephews, nieces, cousins and extended family. She was proceeded in death by her parents; her husband, Harris Peterson; her siblings Alfred Rueckert, Josephine (Ted) Koch, and Florence Powers; three nephews, Kelly Koch, Gene Koch and Brad Powers.

A special thank you to the caregivers at Bethany and Rosewood on Broadway Fargo for helping make her stay there enjoyable and comfortable.