Dawn Marie Peterson

Dawn M. Peterson, age 68, of rural Blooming Prairie, Minnesota, passed away peacefully at her home after battling cancer on Monday, September 29, 2025. Dawn Marie Christianson was born on March 19, 1957, in Austin, Minnesota, to Nathan and Viola (Iverson) Christianson. She graduated from Blooming Prairie High School in 1975. Following graduation, Dawn attended Austin Community College and earned her degree as a registered nurse. She worked her entire career at St. Marys Hospital in Rochester. On December 6, 1986, Dawn married Dean Alan Peterson at Red Oak Grove Lutheran Church. Dawn and Dean knew each other their entire lives, growing up two miles apart from one another. In 1985, Dawn worked up the courage to ask Dean out on a date, cleverly writing him a letter so that his dad wouldn’t answer the phone. From that moment on, they created a lifetime of memories together, including raising two wonderful daughters, Kari and Kelly. Dawn was a true caregiver, always checking in on her friends and family, and looking for ways to lend a helping hand. She enjoyed camping, reading, sewing, and playing solitaire. She was a very loving wife and mother; we will miss her more than words can say.

Dawn is survived by her husband, Dean; daughters, Kari and Kelly Peterson both of Brookings, South Dakota; sisters, Karen (Dan) Zander of New Richmond, Wisconsin, Kristi (Don) Selchow of Hinckley, Minnesota; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Nathan and Vi; and sister, Cheryl Deppe.

The funeral service for Dawn will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, October 3, 2025, at Red Oak Grove Lutheran Church, rural Austin. The visitation will take place from 4:00-7:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 2, 2025, at Worlein-Hoff Funeral Home in Blooming Prairie and will continue for one hour prior to the service at church on Friday. Interment will be in Red Oak Grove Cemetery, rural Austin. Memorials are preferred to the Red Oak Grove Cemetery Association. Worlein-Hoff Funeral Home of Blooming Prairie is assisting the family with arrangements.