Trending
BLUE EARTH -- Elaine Marian Peter, age 95, of Blue Earth, Minn., died Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022, at St. Luke's Lutheran Care Center in Blue Earth. A funeral service will be held 2 p.m. Monday, Oct. 10, at St. John's Lutheran Church in rural Elmore, with Rev. Michael Klatt officiating. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 9, at Patton Funeral Home, and one hour prior to the service Monday at the church. Burial will take place at St. John's Lutheran Cemetery. Condolences can be left at pattonfh.com.
Elaine Marian was born Nov. 25, 1926, to Louis and Ida (Ristau) Grimmelman in rural Elmore. She was baptized on Dec. 19, 1926, at St. John's Lutheran Church. When she was only 13 her father died in a farm accident. She was confirmed at St. John's Lutheran Church on May 12, 1940. Elaine graduated from Elmore High School in 1944, and was married to Floyd Peter on Sept. 2, 1945, at St. John's Lutheran Church. They farmed in Elmore Township until Floyd's death in 1981. Elaine was an independent woman having been widowed for 41 years, continuing to farm for several years with son Randy, driving grain truck to the elevator during fall harvest. She enjoyed working at Tender Years Pre-School in Elmore for several years. Elaine moved to Blue Earth in 1988. She was an active member of St. John's Ladies Aid/LWML, the choir, and was on the St. Luke's Auxiliary and Executive Board for several years. She enjoyed volunteering at St. Luke's gift shop and UHD Hospital coffee shop, as well being involved with 4-H, Farm Bureau, and Home Extension Group. Elaine loved cooking, gardening, playing cards, and other games. She attended many musical programs at the school and was a loyal sports fan of the boys and girls teams. For over 20 years, Elaine "hosted" yearly Peter Family gatherings in many locations, including South Padre Island, Texas for her 80th birthday. She also took the opportunity to travel to many destinations with friends. Elaine moved to Friendship Court in January of 2015 and was a resident of St. Luke's for the past 5 years. Left to cherish such wonderful memories are her children, daughters Diane (Marlin) Gerdts of Bloomington, Minn., and Vanette (John) Kashmer of Goshen, Ind.; sons, Randy (Gerri) Peter of Elmore, Lynden Peter of Washington D.C., and Tim (Sandra) Peter of DeBary, Fla.; nine grandchildren, Jaclyn (Kyle) Olsen, Aaron (Emily) Peter, Abigail (Joe) Kashmer Bradford, Peter (Ellen) Gerdts, Robert (Katie) Gerdts, Nick Peter, Alison (Andy) McGlothlin, Andrew (Tallie) Peter, and Michael Peter; 11 great-grandchildren; sister, Alice (Paul) Kitzmann; sister-in-law, Helen Peter; many nieces and nephews. Elaine was preceded in death by her parents; infant son, Byron; her husband, Floyd; daughter-in-law, Judith Coates Peter; sister-in-law, Hortense (Larry) Ische; and brother-in-law, Carroll Peter. The family wishes to thank all those at St. Luke's Care Center who so lovingly cared for Elaine over the past 7 years. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St. John's Lutheran Church or St. Luke's Auxiliary.