Janice Elaine (Mattson) Peterson

Jan Peterson, 83, of Bethesda Home in Aberdeen, SD, passed away peacefully February 19, 2023.  Jan was born June 19, 1939, to James and Edna Mattson in Moorhead, MN.  She graduated from Concordia College with an associate degree which was rare and brave for a young woman of her day.  Jan was known for being courageous and adventurous.  She started her life embarking for Minneapolis where she met her first husband as a volunteer at the School for the Blind.  Her determination to see that others reach their dreams before her own started when she committed to rerouting a blind farm boy from returning home and instead to go to college and achieve his Masters.  Jan’s love for the cause never swayed as she worked as home health aide for Avera St. Luke’s, where she received the One Pace Beyond Award for her outstanding service later in her life in Aberdeen, SD.

Jan was married twice: first to B. John Hauge, with whom she had two children: Chris, and Michele; and later to Gary Peterson, who became her devoted loving companion and partner in crime.  Jan loved nothing more than to curl up with her cats and read her series books by Nora Roberts, work in her garden, and maybe putz around and create something uniquely special.  Jan donated intricate handmade cards for the local hospitals over the years including when she lived in Scottsbluff, NE where she also dressed as a clown for patient visits, spending countless hours with those who would have otherwise not had anyone coming to see them. 

Jan was passionate about dancing, cookies, and ice cream.  She was best known for her cookie brittle buckets at Christmas time that she prepared for her grandkids, her beautiful handwritten letters, and her sweet sass that was always followed by a smirk.  Her greatest joy was spending time with Gary, whether on a drive, in front of the TV, or on the back deck, it did not matter as long as they were together.  Together is how she left this world, his hand in hers.

Jan is survived by her two children Chris (Alex) Hauge of Knoxville, TN and Michele (Glen) Hauge of Woodbury, MN.  Her stepdaughter Amy (Bill) Bohn of Yukon, OK, nine grandchildren: Danielle (Steve), Jacinda, Tyrelle (Levi), Treinae, Brooks, Karsen, Emerson, Rebecca, and Jacob; three great-grandchildren: Grace, Luke and Audi; and many other relatives and friends.  She was preceded in death by her parents James and Edna Mattson and her first husband B. John Hauge.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, April 29 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Frederick, SD.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Gary Peterson at PO Box 456, Frederick, SD 57441. 

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