Arlene Peterson

Arlene Peterson, 84, of Truman passed away Tuesday June 20, 2023, at Mayo Hospital-Mankato. A memorial service will be held 11a.m. Friday, June 30, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Truman with the Rev. Carol Mapa officiating. Visitation will be Thursday, June 29, from 5–7 p.m. at Zaharia Funeral Home in Truman and continue one hour before the service. A private family burial will be at Ridgelawn Cemetery. Online condolences can be left at www.zahariafamilyfuneral.com.

Arlene was born on June 17, 1939, to Ernest and Elenora (Brummond) Meyer. She and her four siblings were raised three miles north of Truman on the farm. She went to grade school at Antrim Parochial before attending and graduating from Truman High School in 1957. After high school she worked at Truman Farmer’s Elevator. On Oct. 24, 1959, she married her dancing partner Doyle Peterson. They made their home in Truman and raise two children, Jeff and Jennifer. Arlene and Doyle lived, worked and played together for nearly 63 years. Arlene was the bookkeeper for Peterson Feed Inc. and many other jobs around town. As she said more than once, “in a small town you have to be a jack of all trades.” She worked at the bakery, grocery store, flower shop and with her brother Gary at Napa Auto Parts. It was the cleanest auto parts store in southern Minnesota. She and Doyle also had a lawn care business. Their own lawn and flowers are renowned. She was a classic church lady at Trinity Lutheran Church. She served in Martha Circle, sang in the choir for over 40 years, worked at many a coffee hour, Vacation Bible School, funerals and weddings. When not at work or church she could be found at Rose Lake Golf Course — Thursdays for Lady’s Day and Saturdays with the family and out for pizza afterward. She and Doyle traveled to all 50 states as well as Europe, Mexico and Canada. Her favorite state was Colorado because she loved the mountains. Yet the prairie was home. She and Doyle were ardent boosters of Truman. For the last few years of his life she faithfully took care of Doyle as his dementia progressed. He was in the nursing home for his last four months and she never missed one day of being with him. She enjoyed playing cards, sending cards, doing puzzles, word puzzles and Sudoku and watching Minnesota sports. She was even playing word puzzles on her smart phone. She will be remembered for her boundless energy, umm … her talkative nature, her generosity and her kringles.

She is survived by son, Jeffrey; daughter, Jennifer (Paul Schuster); brothers, Delvin (Phyllis) Meyer, Don (Sandy) Meyer and Gary (Linda) Meyer; a wide extended family; and many friends.

She is preceded in death by her husband; sister, DeLores Meyer Helvig; parents; parents-in-law; 10 brothers-in-law; and eight sisters-in-law on the Peterson side.

Arlene will be deeply missed. Our one and only consolation is that she is with Doyle again.

Donations to Trinity Lutheran Church or the Truman Historical Society are appreciated.