Neoma Jean Peterson

A Celebration of Jean's Life will be held at the Children's Museum of Southern Minnesota-Mankato on November 16, 2024. The service of remembrance will begin at 5 pm with time following until 8 pm to honor, remember and celebrate Jean's life with her family.

Born in the middle of the depression in the middle of Iowa, Jean always knew farm living was not the life for her. She was afraid of the horses, didn’t like the chickens and proclaimed herself “Not what her dad needed.” Luckily, that help came along five years later in the form of her younger brother, Bob. Jean was bookish and after graduating valedictorian of her class she headed off to college. 

She married her high school sweetheart, Dale, in 1951. They left for Indiana where Dale earned his Doctorate and Jean typed all of his papers. Eventually Jean and Dale settled in Mankato. During that time Jean was instrumental in the inception of Mankato’s League of Women Voters, Head Start Program, Meals on Wheels, and Early Childhood Family Education. She earned her Master’s Degree from MSU and became an instructor at the Children’s House, ascending to the directorship in 1982. Countless children and student teachers flourished under Jean’s direction.

Somehow, Jean also managed to raise five children. She was Den Mother, chief cook and bottle washer, homework helper, owie kisser and #1 sports fan, all while balancing the challenges of being the perfect yin to Dale’s yang. 

Jean and Dale traveled to China as it opened up to the west and to Norway to celebrate their heritage. After Dale’s untimely death in 1992 in a car accident, Jean brushed herself off and carried on living and thriving at the lake for 32 more years. Jean leaves an example to us all of living life to its fullest and extravagantly loving family and friends. She was the glue that held her family together as the architect of countless family trips and gatherings – building bonds and memories. Everyone was welcome at Jean’s house and there was always room for more at the table. She was strong, smart, capable, and accepting. 

In her later years Jean turned her energies to helping establish the Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota as a founding board member. There could be no more fulfilling legacy. 

Neoma Jean (Lovig) Peterson was born on April 22, 1931, in Gilman, Iowa and died on October 29, 2024 in Mankato, MN. She was predeceased by her parents, Robert and Edith (Lohberger) Lovig, her brother Robert Lovig Jr., her husband Edward Dale Peterson, and her in-laws Thomas and Mildred (Medhus) Peterson. Jean is survived by her children: Brian (Joyce), Mark (Patty), Jon (Melinda Kjarum), Kristin (Patrick) Toegel and Reid (Lisa), as well as grandchildren: Erik (Kelly), Amber (Drew), Maggie (David), Kurt (Samantha), Luke (Jennifer), Anna, Ted, Catelin, Zachary, Linzi, Joshua, Soren, step-grandchildren James and Steve (Megan), eight great grandchildren Madeline, Abigail, Charlotte, Lola, Franceska, Olin, Gregory, Estelle; four step-great grandchildren Evan, Gracen, Owen, and Logan; as well as her sisters-in-law, Darlene Peterson and Chuckie Peterson, her brother in-law Ronald Peterson, her cousin Michael (Connie) Johnson, her niece Robyn (Michael) Aiken, her nephew Craig (Marlys) Lovig, and her PEO sisters. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Children's Museum of Southern Minnesota-Mankato (please add "Jean Peterson Memorial" in the comment section) or to the MSU-Mankato Alumni and Foundation E. Dale & Jean Peterson Endowment.

Rest easy Mom. You loved us well.

The live stream link below is a complimentary service provided by Mankato Mortuary. Unforeseen technical, internet, facility, and/or acoustical circumstances may produce a diminished end product. Please note, if the live stream does not appear, we are attempting to record and publish the service for later viewing.