O. Marie Peterson, age 74, of 504 Eighth St. N., Northwood, Iowa , died Friday, July 16, 2004, at St. Marys Hospital, Rochester.

Funeral services are at 2 p.m. Tuesday, July 20, at the First Lutheran Church, Northwood, with the Rev. Wayne Hagen officiating. Interment will be in Sunset Rest Cemetery, Northwood.

Visitation will be Monday from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Conner Colonial Chapel, Northwood, and one hour before the service at the church.

The family suggests memorials to O. Marie Peterson Memorial Fund.

Marie was born Nov. 15, 1929 in rural Radcliffe, Iowa, the daughter of Clarence and Clara Amanda (Roe) Handeland.

Marie went to country school near Radcliffe, attended Carpenter High School and graduated from Northwood High School in 1948.

She married Merlin E. Peterson on March 5, 1949, at the Little Brown Church, Nashua, Iowa. They lived on the Peterson family farm east of Northwood. They moved to Northwood in 1975.

Marie worked at the Carroll George factory in Northwood for 11 years. In 1976 she began working at the Lutheran Retirement Home, where she has worked for 39 years.

Marie had the ability to laugh at herself. She was known for being a great caregiver and helping other people. She enjoyed quilting, traveling, listening to blue grass music, gospel music and especially being with her children and grandchildren. She was a member of First Lutheran Church.

Marie will be sadly missed by her three children: David Peterson and his wife Joan of Northwood, Iowa, Sharon Gurtz and her husband Marty of Reston, Va., and Karen Craft and her husband Randy of Lander, Wyo.; seven grandchildren: Kevin Peterson and his wife Mary of Joice, Iowa, Amanda Peterson of Northwood, Iowa, Micah Peterson and his wife Heather of Owatonna, Nathan Peterson of Northwood, Iowa, Ryan Gurtz and Laura Gurtz, both of Reston, Va., and Amber Craft of Lander, Wyo.; one brother, Donald Handeland of Mountain Home, Ark.; her sister, Clarice Leraaen of Charles City, Iowa; and daughter-in-law, Linda Peterson Ward of Lake Mills, Iowa.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; son, Dennis; stepfather, Jon Farland; and one brother, Orlan Handeland.