Louise Ivadell Petersen

Louise Ivadell Petersen (Merritt), age 86, passed away peacefully on March 1, 2026, at her home, surrounded by her loving family.

Louise was born on June 14, 1939, in Albert Lea, Minnesota, to Ezra and Evelyn Merritt. She attended Freeborn Public Schools through her sophomore year of high school. In 1955, she moved with her family to Fairchild, Wisconsin, where she graduated from high school in 1957.

Following graduation, Louise moved to Wells, Minnesota, where she worked at the Stamper Company, and later to Minneapolis, where she was employed at the Gold Bond Stamp Company. On July 1, 1960, Louise was united in marriage to Alan Guy Petersen at the Congregational Church in Freeborn, Minnesota. In 1966, they purchased a farm near Austin, Minnesota, where Louise lived the remainder of her life alongside the love of her life, Alan. Together they raised five children and lovingly opened their home to several foster children.

Louise was a lifelong Christian who believed deeply in God and lived her life guided by a strong and unwavering faith. Her faith was evident in the love she showed to others, her devotion to her family, and the quiet strength with which she faced life’s joys and challenges.

Throughout her working years, Louise was employed at Wilson’s in Albert Lea (later Farmstead), JCPenney in Austin, and ultimately at Quality Pork, where she served as a bookkeeper until her retirement in 2001.

Louise enjoyed a full and joyful life. She and Alan shared a love for travel, exploring destinations such as Australia, Hawaii, Alaska, the Caribbean, Central America, Europe, Russia, and many places throughout the United States. She also shared this love of travel with her children, bringing them on numerous vacations across the country to witness the beauty of God’s creation through their own eyes. She had a deep appreciation for flowers, gardening, nature, and hiking, and she cherished collecting Precious Moments figurines and Terry Redlin artwork. Louise loved her farm, her family, and treasured every moment spent with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. One of her greatest joys was sitting on the front porch with Alan and their dog, Pluto, watching birds and soaking in the sunshine. She also had a sweet tooth and was always happy to enjoy ice cream or a special treat.

Louise was an exceptional wife and mother, devoted wholeheartedly to her family. She supported Alan with steadfast love and partnership throughout their 65 years of marriage, creating a home rooted in faith, kindness, and perseverance. As a mother, she led by example—patient, nurturing, and endlessly giving. Her children learned the meaning of love, faith, and hard work through her words and, more importantly, through the life she lived every day.

Louise is survived by her loving husband, Alan Petersen, with whom she shared 65 years of marriage, living on the family farm near Austin for over 60 years; her children: Peggy Petersen, Marlene (Ray) Olsen, Lynnette (Bill) Stewart, Vincent Petersen, and Diane (Dave) Holmquist; her grandchildren: Alan (Elizabeth) Petersen, Michelle Olsen, Cassandra Clark, Michael Stewart, Kyle (Jessica) Stewart, Madelyn Petersen, Olivia Petersen, Rocco Petersen, Robert (Mica) Holmquist, Raeann Holmquist, and Reva Holmquist; her great-grandchildren: Charlie Petersen, Alan A. Petersen, Nathan Petersen, Alan H. Petersen, Alice Clark, Emily Clark, Raiden Clark, William Clark, Peyton Stewart, Elijah Albright, Ethan Albright, and Desmond Stewart; her sister-in-law, Francis Petersen; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Ezra and Evelyn Merritt; her brothers, Duane (Irene) Merritt, Kenneth (Dona) Merritt, and Myron Merritt; her sister, Janet Merritt; her in-laws, Vivian and Kenton Cadwell; and her brothers-in-laws, Keith Register, Richard (Denise) Petersen, and Ross Petersen.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00AM on Friday, March 13, 2026, at Oakland Lutheran Church in Albert Lea, with a visitation beginning at 10:00AM. The family will also receive friends at visitation to be held from 4:00- 6:00PM on Thursday, March 12, 2026, at Bonnerup Funeral & Cremation Services, in Albert Lea. Burial will be held at Alden Cemetery.

The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the Mayo Clinic Hospice Team for the compassionate and loving care they provided Louise.

We find comfort in knowing that Louise has been welcomed into her eternal home, reunited with loved ones, and is now resting in the arms of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.