Loretta M. Peterson, age 81, of Annandale, died Thursday, September 10, 2026, at Quiet Oaks Hospice House surrounded by the love and care of her family.

Memorial Services will be held 11:00 a.m. Friday, September 18, 2026, at St. John' Lutheran Church, Annandale with Rev. Alex Becker officiating. Burial will follow at St. John's Lutheran Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4:00-7:00 p.m. with a 6:30 p.m. prayer service on Thursday at the church. An additional visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m on Friday at the church. Memorials are preferred to Quiet Oaks Hospice, St. John's Cemetery or St. John's Choir.

Loretta Mary Haukos was born in the small town of Graceville, Minnesota, on September 8, 1945, to Norris and Mary (Kruger) Haukos. She grew up in Beardsley, where she developed a passion for caring for others that would guide her life's work.

After graduating from high school in 1963, Loretta pursued her dream of becoming a nurse, graduating from Willmar Community College in 1965. Her professional career took her to many hospitals including Wheaton, University of Minnesota, St Cloud, and Monticello-Big Lake Hospital, where she stayed for 30 years.

On October 2, 1965, Loretta married the love of her life Larry Peterson at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Beardsley, Minnesota. Together, they built a family that was filled with laughter & love. They lived in a few towns such as Minneapolis, Columbia Heights, Beardsley, Clearwater, and when the kids had left the nest, they bought a hobby farm outside of Annandale. Together they built a life centered around faith, family, and the farm they loved.

Loretta was a member of St John's Lutheran Church, where she was very active and devoted. She was involved in choir, bible study, Befrienders, and numerous other groups. She loved giving and attending tea parties. She found joy in baking everyone's favorites and cooking amazing meals. For two decades, Loretta cherished her winter escapes to the warmth and sunshine of Lake Havasu, Arizona. She participated in water aerobics, played cards, went dancing, and always made everyone feel important and special; she made time for all her family & friends. She was a wonderful mom, grandma, and great-grandma spending time with family was so important to her.

She is survived by her children, Mary (Mike) Folk of Beardsley, Bill Peterson of Buffalo, and Amy (Troy) Schreifels of Big Lake; 7 grandchildren, Cody, Molly, Shannon, Katie, Austin, Abby and Taylor; great-grandchildren, Rosella and Kyson; brother, Jeroy (Karen) Haukos of Beardsley; siblings-in-law, Jim Peterson of Turtle Lake, WI, Diane (Daryl) Landmark of Montevideo, Bob (Jody) Peterson of Sioux Falls, and Joanne Hedrick of Minneapolis; and nieces, nephews, other family members and friends. Welcoming her to heaven were her parents; husband, Larry; brother, Merrill Haukos; and in-laws, William and Helen Peterson, Delores Paulson, Dennis Peterson, Betti and Gene Labs, and Bonnie Peterson; and nephew, Doug Haukos.

Dale Haukos, Robert Haukos, Cody Hayes, Austin Folk, Angelo Conavatti, Riley Schock, and Parker Charles will serve as urn bearers. Arrangements entrusted to Dingmann Funeral Care Burial and Cremation Services of Annandale.