Marge Peterson

Marge was the queen of her kitchen and throughout her life she blessed many with her exceptional cuisine. Entertaining and Celebrations were her passion. She expressed her delight with her signature laugh and a secret smile. It was hard to capture that on camera, because it was never something performed. It had a life of its own and when it adorned her, hearts melted. Marjorie Jewel Peterson, 98 years young, of Sun City West, passed away peacefully early in the morning on June 25, 2025, in her home. The picture shared here was taken in October celebrating her 98th birthday. She was still driving. Those of us who knew Marge would agree; she was a vibrant spirit.

She was born in Windom, Minnesota in 1926 to William and Gertie Bieber. Although she spent some of her childhood in Iowa, she returned to Windom to attend High School where she met the love of her life, Marvin Leroy Peterson. Excited to start their life together, they moved to New York and were married before Marv left to serve in the Navy. During this time Marge attended a Design College in New York. After serving his country, they moved back to Windom and opened the "Chocolate Shop," a hot spot in a small town where kids gathered. It had quite the reputation and if you're a local, Chocolate shop stories still circulate.

Marv accepted a job with Northwestern Bell which brought them to Olivia, Minnesota. They raised their two children there, Mark Peterson and Marlys Peterson, Marge loved being a homemaker and mom and also learned that she had a knack for business. She opened ''The Style Shop," a successful women's clothing shop for fifteen years. Although she talked about the hard work, she said she loved every minute of it. In recent years, she said if she could do it all over again she would. She didn't find much pleasure in sitting still; she was always on the go.

Both Marge and Marv loved their furry 4-legged friends, and there was rarely a time when there wasn't at least one dog in the home being treated like the valuable family member they were.

As a couple, they enjoyed golfing, dancing and traveling with the barbershop quartet and chorus where Marv competed. They moved to Sun City West in 1984 and continued to embrace and live life to the fullest. They were active members of "The Lord of Life" Lutheran Church.

Music was something Marge enjoyed very much. If she wasn't watching a golf tournament, football or basketball game, she had the television tuned into the music channel. The Dean Martin Era never got old.

Marge continued her love of working and volunteered at the gift shop in the Del Webb Medical Center for Eleven years. People and spreading joy were her hobbies. She said working beats sitting around any day.

Marge was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Marv in May of 2017. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am on Thursday, July 24, 2025, at Lord of Life Lutheran Church, 13724 W Meeker Blvd, Sun City West, AZ 85375.

In lieu of flowers, Marge would appreciate donations to the American Cancer Society or the Animal Humane Society.

Marge is survived by her children, Mark and Marlys Peterson, grandchildren, Allison and Nicholas Vogt, brother, Bill (Karen) Bieber of Maple Grove, MN, and many other family and friends.