Janice Diane Peterson

Janice D. Peterson, 81, of Bemidji, MN, formerly of Clearbrook, MN, died on Wednesday, April 10, 2019 at Sanford Medical Center in Fargo, ND. Funeral services will be held on Monday, April 15, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Clearbrook, MN with a visitation one hour prior. A visitation will also be held the evening before on Sunday, April 14, 2019 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Cease Family Funeral Home in Bagley, MN. The Cease Family Funeral Home of Bagley assisted the family with arrangements. Jan was born on August 30, 1937 in Clearbrook to Clarence and Inez (Engebretson) Lewis. She graduated from Bagley High School in 1955. During her life she lived in Minnesota, California, Oregon, North Dakota, Poland, and Florida. She married Blake Peterson in Clearbrook on October 6, 1956. Together they had a family of four children. Jan was proud she was able to continue her studies at Mankato University in the late ‘80s. She worked many places over the years, including the Red Lake Falls Clinic, the Grand Forks Citizen’s State Bank, Roseau Clinic, and she had the best time running the concession stand in the Roseau Hockey Arena. She also had her own gift basket business for more than 20 years. Jan was involved in her community, whether it was through Circle at her church, being a 4-H leader, or with an Extension Homemakers group. She had a passion for traveling, adventures, trying new things, camping with the family, and boat rides. Jan also loved music, movies, and reading. Other hobbies included cooking, crafts, knitting, and sewing. She had a passion for entertaining, whether for small groups or the entire extended family. Jan loved spending time with her friends and family most of all. She was always happy when the house was full of children. Her children always came first, at no matter what sacrifice to herself. She was patient, loving, kind, and always put others’ needs above her own. Her children, nieces, nephews, and grandkids looked up to Jan for guidance as an example of selfless and unconditional love. She will be tremendously missed. She is survived by her husband, Blake Peterson of Bemidji, MN; her children, Deb (Mark) Nelson of Palouse, WA, Jeffrey (Adri) Peterson of Barcelona, Spain, Natalee (Paul) Dwyer of Hibbing, MN, and Suzie (Rick) Alsen of Montrose, MN; 12 grandchildren; 2 great grandchildren; brother, David (Penny) Lewis; sister-in-law, Yvonne Ingalls; brother-in-law, Duane (Marjorie) Peterson; and many other beloved family and friends. Jan was preceded in death by her parents, Clarence and Inez Lewis; and her sister and brother-in-law, Geraldine and Art Pederson; and her brother-in-law, George Ingalls.