Shirley Mae Peterson

Shirley Mae (Carlen) Peterson, age 84, of Litchfield, formerly of Cokato, died Friday, July 31, 2026, in Litchfield surrounded by her children. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, August 8, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Cokato with the Rev. Sarah Jones officiating. The interment will be held at the Cokato Finnish Cemetery in rural Cokato. There will be a visitation on Friday, August 7, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Johnson Funeral Home in Dassel and one hour prior to the service at the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Cokato on Saturday, August 8, 2026. Shirley Mae (Carlen) Peterson, the daughter of Norman and Lila (Hess) Carlen was born on May 1, 1942, in Hutchinson, Minnesota. Shirley was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith and was presently a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Cokato. The family resided in Cosmos for several years before moving to the family farm in rural Cokato. Shirley attended Knapp Country School and graduated from Cokato High School in 1960. On May 27, 1961, Shirley was united in marriage to Gary Alden Peterson at the North Crow River Lutheran Church and shared 63 years of marriage together. It was through this union they raised four children, Cary, Jerrol, Janell, and Jennifer. Shirley was a diligent worker and had been employed at 3M, Green Giant Canning Company, Richwell Furniture, Nortronics, and HTI. Shirley enjoyed spending time sewing, cross stitching, gardening, playing cards, playing games with her grandchildren, painting, and attending her grandchildren’s sporting and other activities. She loved her family with her whole heart and especially enjoyed spending time getting together for holidays and special events. She cherished the friendships she made throughout her life, especially the wonderful new friends she found in recent years. Left to cherish Shirleys memories are her children, Cary (Becky) Peterson of Paynesville, Jerrol (Sabra) Peterson of Anchorage, Alaska, Janell (Don) Smith of Dakota City, Iowa, and Jennifer Kusler of Litchfield. Grandchildren: Colby, Ryan, Lucas, Cara, Cami, Don Jr, Evan, Kyle and Kaity and seven great grandchildren. She is also survived by her siblings, Harlund Carlen of Dassel, Marcye (David) Johnson of Dassel, Dennis (Mary) Carlen of Woodbury, and James (Linda) Carlen of Buffalo, along with numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and other relatives. She was preceded in death by her husband, Gary Peterson, her baby daughter, son-in-law, Brad Kusler, parents, Norman and Lila Carlen, and a brother Adrian “Bill” Carlen.

Shirley Mae Peterson

May 1, 1942 - July 31, 2026