Bernice P. Peterson, 87, entered into the arms of her Lord and savior by God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ on Oct. 16, 2014, in Mankato, Minnesota.

Born on Sept. 22, 1927, to Laura (Porter) and Arthur R. Johnson in Superior, Wisconsin, she reunites with all who have trusted in Christ for their salvation.

Bernice lived a life of loving and faithful commitment to her Lord Jesus Christ, to her family, and to others. Bernice publicly confessed her faith in Jesus Christ as her savior and Lord at Pilgrim Lutheran Church (Superior) in 1941. After graduating from Superior Central High School and St. Luke’s Hospital School of Nursing (Duluth), she attended and graduated with RN and BS degrees from Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minnesota. Graduate studies in Pediatrics at the University of Chicago followed.

While at Gustavus, she met her life-long companion and future husband, Grant. They were united in marriage on April 13, 1953, in Moose Lake, Minnesota, and they soon moved to Salt Lake City, Utah, where she worked at the Shriners Hospital for Crippled Children. After a year there, they moved back to Minnesota and resided in Adams from 1954 to 1970 where their kids were born. The family moved to Austin in 1970 and became very active at St. Olaf Lutheran Church until they moved to Mankato in 2001. Before she retired in 1990, Bernice found rewarding employment as an RN at St. Olaf Hospital, St. Marks Nursing Home, Mower County Public Health, as well as being involved in camp nursing and teaching nursing students.

Bernice enjoyed many activities. Hard-working, detailed, and practical, she was a people-person who had much joy and fulfillment in teaching Sunday school, involvement in women’s bible studies, Stephan Ministries, and women’s ministries.

Bernice greatly enjoyed vacations to visit family and friends and to have people over for conversation and treats. Other interests included her many years of compiling family photo albums, stamp collecting, needlework, reading, and intensely watching Jeopardy;  her competitive side would come to life while playing friendly games of Dominos and Rummikub. Bernice will be forever and fondly remembered for her organization of the traditional family Christmas cookie decorating contest. A faithful woman of prayer, devoted wife, and loving mother, Bernice will be missed until we see her again in God’s eternal home.

Bernice leaves behind her husband of 61 years, Grant; her daughter, Christie Jones (Ron) of Mankato, her daughter, Ann Dutze (David) of McKinney, Texas, and her son, Scott Peterson (Stephanie) of Los Alamitos, California. Bernice was blessed with 10 wonderful grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

The Funeral service will be held at 3 p.m. at Grace Lutheran in Mankato on Saturday, Oct. 25. Visitation will be at 2 p.m. and a luncheon will follow the service. Burial service will be at 1:05 p.m. Monday, Oct. 27, at Fort Snelling National Cemetery. Mankato Mortuary in charge of arrangements.