Margaret Juanita Peterson

Margaret Juanita Peterson “Juanita“ passed away peacefully on November 11, 2020 in Bemidji, MN.

Juanita was born on August 21, 1933 to LeGrand and Margaret Boyer in Council Bluffs, Iowa. She married Charles Peterson on May 18, 1952 in Council Bluffs. Early in their marriage they moved often with Charles’ job as a Woolworth’s store manager until they settled in Duluth, Minnesota, where they raised their family. In 1962, they purchased Dave’s Pizza and ran it for 27 years before retiring to Harlingen, Texas. Charles and Juanita celebrated 52 wonderful years together. One highlight of their marriage was celebrating their 50th anniversary with all their children and grandchildren in Chicago.

Even after she was “retired”, she enjoyed filling her time as an office worker at the retirement village where they spent their winters. Along with her office work, Juanita took up line dancing and eventually shared her passion through teaching. She had her own class in Harlingen and would not shy away from leading classes during family gatherings.

After Charles passed away in 2004, she found companionship and a dance partner in Ross Binnie. Juanita truly loved her time on the dance floor. She would often sign her letters or emails to her grandchildren “see you around the dancehalls.”. Along with dancing, Juanita enjoyed music; her favorite artist was Willie Nelson.

Juanita is preceded in death by her husbands, Charles and Ross; parents; and brothers, Eldred ”Bill” and Darrel Boyer.

She is survived by her children, Stephen (Berta) Peterson Sr., Babbitt, Minnesota, Brian (Nancy) Peterson, Forney, Texas and Deborah Jensen, Bemidji Minnesota.

She was very, very proud of all of her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She is also survived by grandsons, Stephen Peterson, Jr., Benjamin (Abbey) Peterson, Adam (Rachel) Peterson, Drew (Jenelle) Jensen; granddaughter, Courtney (Adam) Schneider; as well as her great-grandchildren, Brice and Philip Peterson, Coby and Adrah Peterson and Grace Jensen; and many nieces and nephews.

The family wishes to thank Sanford Hospice, Pastor Stan of First Baptist of Bemidji, and GoldPine Home in Bemidji.

A private family memorial service will be held at 1:30pm on Monday, April 26th, 2021 at Sunrise Funeral Home and Cemetery, 4798 Miller Trunk Hwy, Hermantown, MN. Graveside service to follow at Sunrise Memorial Park Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Minnesota State Services for the Blind.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Margaret Juanita Peterson, please visit our floral store.