Mary Ruth ‘Hirschy’ Peterson, 90, Lake City

 Mary Ruth (Hirschy) Peterson, 90, of Lake City, passed away Tuesday, November 3, 2015 at the Lake City Care Center. She was born July 7, 1925 in Warner, Alberta, Canada to George and Katie (Lansbery) Hirschy. The family later moved to Wabasha where Mary grew up and attended school. She graduated from Wabasha High School in 1943 and went on to the Army Cadet Nurse’s Corps at Abbott Hospital in Minneapolis where she received her nursing degree. She worked at Queens Hospital in Hawaii for a year before returning to work at University Hospital in Minneapolis. While in school she met her beloved husband James Peterson. She and James were united in married on September 3, 1949 at Grace Episcopal in Wabasha. The couple made their home in Lake City where Mary worked at the Lake City Hospital and raised four children. She was also an active part in her husband’s insurance and real estate business and also had her real estate license. Her faith was very important to her and she was an active member of St. Mark’s Episcopal where she was president of the Alter Guild and ECW, served as both Junior and Senior Warden of the Vestry, sang in the choir and taught Sunday school. She also volunteered with the Red Cross and was a Den Mother for the Cub Scouts. Mary enjoyed reading, knitting and playing Bridge. Most of all, Mary loved being with her family particularly her grandchildren and great grandchildren.
 She is survived by her four children, James Jr. (Karen) of Rochester, Jill (Kurt) Richter of Rochester, John (Jane) of Eagan and David (Jan) of Silverdale, Washington; 7 grandchildren, Katie (Chris) Cowden, Tyler Richter, Brian (Katie) Peterson, Lisa (Tyler) Peterson Harvey, Kristin (Matt) Peterson Connell, Abby Peterson and Laurel McKeag; four great grandchildren and one on the way, Luke and Hailey Peterson and Graeme and Rees Harvey.
 She is preceded in death by her husband of 48 years, Jim; an infant daughter, Mary; two sisters, Louise Wick and Kathy Gosse; parents, George and Katie; and in-laws, Nat and Mabel Peterson.
 Memorial service will be 11 a.m. Saturday, November 14, 2015 at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Lake City with visitation one hour prior to the service. Burial will be at Lakewood Cemetery. Arrangements with the Mahn Family Funeral Home, Anderson-Peterson Chapel, Lake City. On line condolences may be left for the family at www.mahnfamilyfuneralhome.com