Lois A. Ruhnke-Peterson, 85, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Jan. 4, from complications of Alzheimer's after being surrounded by her family for the past week.
She was born on Sept. 11, 1928 in Duluth to Bertha and Arne Granmoe and lived most of her life in Proctor, Minn.
After retiring, she resided in Iron River, Wis., and Brownsville, Texas.
Lois graduated from Proctor High School in 1946 and was very involved in organizing her class reunions, culminating in chairing the Proctor All-Class Reunion in 1980. Lois and Byron Ruhnke were inducted in the Proctor Hall of Fame in 2007 and Lois also served as Grand Marshall of the Hoghead Parade in 1990. They also owned and operated Ruhnke Clothing in Proctor for 28 years, providing outstanding customer service. She was also devoted to her family and went to great lengths to make Christmas a very special time for all her "Kids".
Lois was a Girl Scout Leader and absolutely loved being around children to the very end of her life. Stories abound from many who enjoyed the gatherings and cabin experiences she provided while they were growing up. Dancing was another love of her life and for most of it; the dance floor was where you would find her on any given Friday night.
Lois was an accomplished civic leader serving many local organizations. She was dearly loved and will be greatly missed by many friends, family, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
She left a legacy of strong leadership, caring for others and making a difference in people's lives.
Lois was preceded in death by her first husband, Byron Ruhnke; second husband, Jim Peterson, Sr.; son, Ken Ruhnke; step-sons, Eric Peterson and Lief Peterson; and sister, Florence Cross.
She is survived by her daughters, Sandy Collins (fiancé, Joe Brisbois), Cindy (Larry) Stauber, and Wendy Ruhnke; grandchildren, Tara Collins (Mark) Vieli, Annie Winkler, Leah Stauber, Lindsey (Bright) Jaja; Erin Stauber (Peter) Stephan; Joshua Ruhnke (Sheena Rowe); sisters, Joanne Nichols, Susie Oleschlaeger; brother, Charlie Granmoe; sister-in-law, Shirley Amundson; great-grandchildren, Thomas, Maverick, Westin, and Becky. She is also survived by step-daughter Theresa (Bill) Galaudet, step-sons, Jim Jr., Leo, Matt (Tammy) and Christopher Peterson; step-grandchildren, Steven (Leah) Galaudet, Jess, Jen, Jake and Josh and Dustin Peterson; great-grandchildren, Isabelle and Adrian; and brother-in-law, Fred (Yvonne) Peterson.
Many thanks to her loving caregivers from Golden Oaks in Hermantown and Essentia Hospice.
VISITATION: 10.30 a.m. until the 11.30 a.m. Memorial Service on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2014 in Forbes United Methodist Church, 33 Grove Street, Proctor with Rev. Pamela Barbour officiating. Burial at Augustana Cemetery will be at a later date. Memorials Preferred
Please leave a memory of Lois or words of support for the family at www.BellBrothersFuneralHome.com
She was born on Sept. 11, 1928 in Duluth to Bertha and Arne Granmoe and lived most of her life in Proctor, Minn.
After retiring, she resided in Iron River, Wis., and Brownsville, Texas.
Lois graduated from Proctor High School in 1946 and was very involved in organizing her class reunions, culminating in chairing the Proctor All-Class Reunion in 1980. Lois and Byron Ruhnke were inducted in the Proctor Hall of Fame in 2007 and Lois also served as Grand Marshall of the Hoghead Parade in 1990. They also owned and operated Ruhnke Clothing in Proctor for 28 years, providing outstanding customer service. She was also devoted to her family and went to great lengths to make Christmas a very special time for all her "Kids".
Lois was a Girl Scout Leader and absolutely loved being around children to the very end of her life. Stories abound from many who enjoyed the gatherings and cabin experiences she provided while they were growing up. Dancing was another love of her life and for most of it; the dance floor was where you would find her on any given Friday night.
Lois was an accomplished civic leader serving many local organizations. She was dearly loved and will be greatly missed by many friends, family, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
She left a legacy of strong leadership, caring for others and making a difference in people's lives.
Lois was preceded in death by her first husband, Byron Ruhnke; second husband, Jim Peterson, Sr.; son, Ken Ruhnke; step-sons, Eric Peterson and Lief Peterson; and sister, Florence Cross.
She is survived by her daughters, Sandy Collins (fiancé, Joe Brisbois), Cindy (Larry) Stauber, and Wendy Ruhnke; grandchildren, Tara Collins (Mark) Vieli, Annie Winkler, Leah Stauber, Lindsey (Bright) Jaja; Erin Stauber (Peter) Stephan; Joshua Ruhnke (Sheena Rowe); sisters, Joanne Nichols, Susie Oleschlaeger; brother, Charlie Granmoe; sister-in-law, Shirley Amundson; great-grandchildren, Thomas, Maverick, Westin, and Becky. She is also survived by step-daughter Theresa (Bill) Galaudet, step-sons, Jim Jr., Leo, Matt (Tammy) and Christopher Peterson; step-grandchildren, Steven (Leah) Galaudet, Jess, Jen, Jake and Josh and Dustin Peterson; great-grandchildren, Isabelle and Adrian; and brother-in-law, Fred (Yvonne) Peterson.
Many thanks to her loving caregivers from Golden Oaks in Hermantown and Essentia Hospice.
VISITATION: 10.30 a.m. until the 11.30 a.m. Memorial Service on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2014 in Forbes United Methodist Church, 33 Grove Street, Proctor with Rev. Pamela Barbour officiating. Burial at Augustana Cemetery will be at a later date. Memorials Preferred
Please leave a memory of Lois or words of support for the family at www.BellBrothersFuneralHome.com
Lois A. Ruhnke-Peterson, 85, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Jan. 4, from complications of Alzheimer's after being surrounded by her family for the past week.
She was born on Sept. 11, 1928 in Duluth to Bertha and Arne Granmoe and lived most of her life in Proctor, Minn.
After retiring, she resided in Iron River, Wis., and Brownsville, Texas.
Lois graduated from Proctor High School in 1946 and was very involved in organizing her class reunions, culminating in chairing the Proctor All-Class Reunion in 1980. Lois and Byron Ruhnke were inducted in the Proctor Hall of Fame in 2007 and Lois also served as Grand Marshall of the Hoghead Parade in 1990. They also owned and operated Ruhnke Clothing in Proctor for 28 years, providing outstanding customer service. She was also devoted to her family and went to great lengths to make Christmas a very special time for all her "Kids".
Lois was a Girl Scout Leader and absolutely loved being around children to the very end of her life. Stories abound from many who enjoyed the gatherings and cabin experiences she provided while they were growing up. Dancing was another love of her life and for most of it; the dance floor was where you would find her on any given Friday night.
Lois was an accomplished civic leader serving many local organizations. She was dearly loved and will be greatly missed by many friends, family, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
She left a legacy of strong leadership, caring for others and making a difference in people's lives.
Lois was preceded in death by her first husband, Byron Ruhnke; second husband, Jim Peterson, Sr.; son, Ken Ruhnke; step-sons, Eric Peterson and Lief Peterson; and sister, Florence Cross.
She is survived by her daughters, Sandy Collins (fiancé, Joe Brisbois), Cindy (Larry) Stauber, and Wendy Ruhnke; grandchildren, Tara Collins (Mark) Vieli, Annie Winkler, Leah Stauber, Lindsey (Bright) Jaja; Erin Stauber (Peter) Stephan; Joshua Ruhnke (Sheena Rowe); sisters, Joanne Nichols, Susie Oleschlaeger; brother, Charlie Granmoe; sister-in-law, Shirley Amundson; great-grandchildren, Thomas, Maverick, Westin, and Becky. She is also survived by step-daughter Theresa (Bill) Galaudet, step-sons, Jim Jr., Leo, Matt (Tammy) and Christopher Peterson; step-grandchildren, Steven (Leah) Galaudet, Jess, Jen, Jake and Josh and Dustin Peterson; great-grandchildren, Isabelle and Adrian; and brother-in-law, Fred (Yvonne) Peterson.
Many thanks to her loving caregivers from Golden Oaks in Hermantown and Essentia Hospice.
VISITATION: 10.30 a.m. until the 11.30 a.m. Memorial Service on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2014 in Forbes United Methodist Church, 33 Grove Street, Proctor with Rev. Pamela Barbour officiating. Burial at Augustana Cemetery will be at a later date. Memorials Preferred
Please leave a memory of Lois or words of support for the family at www.BellBrothersFuneralHome.com
She was born on Sept. 11, 1928 in Duluth to Bertha and Arne Granmoe and lived most of her life in Proctor, Minn.
After retiring, she resided in Iron River, Wis., and Brownsville, Texas.
Lois graduated from Proctor High School in 1946 and was very involved in organizing her class reunions, culminating in chairing the Proctor All-Class Reunion in 1980. Lois and Byron Ruhnke were inducted in the Proctor Hall of Fame in 2007 and Lois also served as Grand Marshall of the Hoghead Parade in 1990. They also owned and operated Ruhnke Clothing in Proctor for 28 years, providing outstanding customer service. She was also devoted to her family and went to great lengths to make Christmas a very special time for all her "Kids".
Lois was a Girl Scout Leader and absolutely loved being around children to the very end of her life. Stories abound from many who enjoyed the gatherings and cabin experiences she provided while they were growing up. Dancing was another love of her life and for most of it; the dance floor was where you would find her on any given Friday night.
Lois was an accomplished civic leader serving many local organizations. She was dearly loved and will be greatly missed by many friends, family, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
She left a legacy of strong leadership, caring for others and making a difference in people's lives.
Lois was preceded in death by her first husband, Byron Ruhnke; second husband, Jim Peterson, Sr.; son, Ken Ruhnke; step-sons, Eric Peterson and Lief Peterson; and sister, Florence Cross.
She is survived by her daughters, Sandy Collins (fiancé, Joe Brisbois), Cindy (Larry) Stauber, and Wendy Ruhnke; grandchildren, Tara Collins (Mark) Vieli, Annie Winkler, Leah Stauber, Lindsey (Bright) Jaja; Erin Stauber (Peter) Stephan; Joshua Ruhnke (Sheena Rowe); sisters, Joanne Nichols, Susie Oleschlaeger; brother, Charlie Granmoe; sister-in-law, Shirley Amundson; great-grandchildren, Thomas, Maverick, Westin, and Becky. She is also survived by step-daughter Theresa (Bill) Galaudet, step-sons, Jim Jr., Leo, Matt (Tammy) and Christopher Peterson; step-grandchildren, Steven (Leah) Galaudet, Jess, Jen, Jake and Josh and Dustin Peterson; great-grandchildren, Isabelle and Adrian; and brother-in-law, Fred (Yvonne) Peterson.
Many thanks to her loving caregivers from Golden Oaks in Hermantown and Essentia Hospice.
VISITATION: 10.30 a.m. until the 11.30 a.m. Memorial Service on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2014 in Forbes United Methodist Church, 33 Grove Street, Proctor with Rev. Pamela Barbour officiating. Burial at Augustana Cemetery will be at a later date. Memorials Preferred
Please leave a memory of Lois or words of support for the family at www.BellBrothersFuneralHome.com
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