Garnet Petersen

Garnet Louise (Jensen) Petersen was born on October 27, 1939 on the family farm in Hope Township, Lincoln County; just outside of Tyler, to Erling and Louise (Stefansen) Jensen. She was baptized on December 17, 1939 and later confirmed on June 7, 1953 at the Danebod Lutheran Church in Tyler, Minnesota. She attended school in Tyler and was proud to be a Tyler Dane. She participated in 4-H, cheerleading, was active in extracurricular school activities and graduated on May 29, 1957. Garnet was united in marriage to Arlyn Petersen on June 30, 1957 at Danebod Lutheran Church; a marriage that would last 62 years.  The young couple moved to a farm in Drammen Township, northwest of Lake Benton. During their time on the farm, their union was blessed with the birth of their four children. The family continued to live on the farm until 1977, when they moved to Lake Benton. Garnet’s first love was being a farmer’s wife and mother. She later worked various jobs as a cook at the local cafes, was a Para at the Lake Benton School from 1979 - 2002, a bookkeeper for Petersen Gravel from 1983 – 1999 and took care of her house, yard and garden. Her faith and love for family was unmatched. She was especially proud to be 100% Danish.

Garnet lived in her home until March 8, 2024, when she entered Tyler Hospital – Sunrise Manor Nursing Home, then she entered into the Pipestone County Hospice House on March 29, 2024 where she later died peacefully on April 2, 2024 at the age of 84 years, five months and six days.

Garnet was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Lake Benton, Minnesota. She was very active and loved her church family very much. Garnet’s love was to watch her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren in all of their sporting events and activities. She was an avid baker, seamstress, and loved the Twins and the Vikings.

Garnet is lovingly remembered by her children, Terry (Joann) Petersen of New Ulm, Minnesota, Susan (Gary) Haupert of Pipestone, Minnesota, daughter-in-law, Karen Petersen of Lake Benton, Minnesota and son-in-law, Greg (Julie) Mensen of Belview, Minnesota; sister, Ilona (Bob) Henriksen and sister-in-law, Donnie Jensen; 14 grandchildren, Heidi Petersen, Aaron (Tarah) Petersen, Kacie Petersen, Tanner (Becca) Petersen, Kristin (Tim) Miller, Ashley (Reid) Heffele, Garrett (Caitlin) Petersen, Laura (John) Rigge, Rachael (Matt) Krueger, Katie (Alex) Bakker, Courtney (Andrew) Vroman, Amber (Devin) Gorter, Amanda (Jordan) Goracke and April (Jason Steenstra) Haupert; and 33 great-grandchildren, Connor, Ava, Hattie, Gretta, Lillian, Evelyn, Calvin, Kailyn, Addilyn, Taryn, Natalie, Emerson, Johanna, Randall, Lillian, Piper, Poppy, Paris, Posey, Mia, Haven, Carson, Brynn, Brock, Briggs, Blair, Oliver, Colette, Bennet, Hayes, Camden, Jace and Quincie; numerous nieces, nephews and many other loving friends and family members.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Arlyn Petersen; children,  Randy Petersen and Carol Mensen; siblings, Gordy and Mary Jensen, Vyles and Beverly Jensen, Delmer Jensen; her parents, Erling and Louise Jensen.

Blessed be her memory.