Mary Jane Petersen

A memorial mass for Mary J. Petersen, 78, of Rochester, Minnesota will be at 11:00 am Thursday, July 28that Pax Christi Catholic Church in Rochester with Father Joseph Fogal officiating.Burial will be at Calvary cemetery.Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Mary Jane Witte was born on March 1, 1933 in Rochester, Minnesota to Gordon and Evelyn (Miller) Witte.She died on July 24, 2011 at her home in Rochester. Mary graduatedfrom Rochester High School in 1952 and attended Rochester Jr. College.She married Dallas L. Petersen on October 24, 1953 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Rochester.The couple lived in Rochester before moving north of Mantorville in 1965 to farm.They moved back to Rochester in 1986. Mary worked in the card assembly and test area at IBM for 18 years before retiring in 1990.She enjoyed spending time with family and friends, gardening, walking, Soduko puzzles, watching Twins and Vikings games and casino trips with family and friends. Survivors include two sons, Richard (Mary) Petersen of Rochester and Michael Petersen of Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin; two daughters, Patricia (Jack) Leon of Wichita, Kansas and Kathryn (Jay) Hollenhorst of Rochester; six grandchildren, Shawn Petersen, Sara Tollefsrud, Christopher Leon, Stephanie Leon, Paul Hollenhorst and Weston Hollenhorst; two great grandchildren, Shawn Jr. Petersen and Mary Alice Petersen; one sister, Ann Rentz of Rochester, and one brother, Charles Witte of New Port Richey, Florida.She was preceded in death by her parents and spouse, Dallas on January 12, 2009. Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes5421 Royal Place NWRochester, MN55901(507) 289-3600. www.ranfranzandvinefh.com