Carol Peterson

March 8, 2018

Carol Elizabeth (Bittner) Peterson passed away on March 8, 2018, two days short of her 75th birthday. She had been a resident of the memory care unit at Valley Ridge Senior Care in Burnsville, MN, since November, 2014. Carol was born March 10, 1943 in Adrian, MN, the only child of Joseph and Marcella (Mauch) Bittner. She was baptized and confirmed into the Catholic faith. She attended St. Adrian High School, and later graduated from Mount Marty College in Yankton, South Dakota in 1965 with a bachelor’s degree in social work. Carol moved to Granite Falls, MN in the summer of 1966 to begin her long social work career with Yellow Medicine County Family Services. Carol’s career also included time with the Clarkfield Care Center and with a work incentive program with the State of Minnesota. Carol and Robert Peterson were united in marriage on January 2, 1970. Their son, Erik, was born in 1972, and their daughter, Grete, was born in 1984. Her children were the loves of her life. In 1991, Carol was elected to serve the first of two terms with the Granite Falls - Clarkfield School Board. In 2004, she retired from Yellow Medicine County Family Services. Post retirement, she enjoyed working with the Yellow Medicine County Sheriff’s office in their food service department, and volunteering with other local service groups and St. Andrew’s Parish. Carol’s passion for service was a part of her everyday life, as she always considered the needs of others. She had a unique gift of connecting with people of all ages. Her hobbies included walking, reading, traveling, and spending time with her friends. More than anything though, she truly loved being a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. She will be missed by her husband, Robert; her son, Erik (Carrie) Peterson; her daughter, Grete (Mark) Goetz; her grandchildren, Brayden and Brielle Peterson, and Rocelia Goetz. Carol is greeted in Heaven by her parents, Joseph and Marcella Bittner. Visitation is March 14 at 9:30-10:30 a.m., followed by a memorial service at 10:30 a.m. at Granite Falls Lutheran Church, 350 9th Avenue, Granite Falls, MN. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Alzheimer’s Association (www.alz.org).