Helen Mae (Anderson) Peterson, loving mother, grandmother, wife, sister, aunt, friend, and proud Norwegian, passed away on July 21, 2023, at age 82.

There was a memorial service at 11:00am on Friday, August 4, 2023, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 513 Madison St SE, Watertown, MN, with visitation at the church starting at 9:30 a.m., and a lunch gathering after the service. A private burial will take place at Knapp Cemetery in Cokato at a later time. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Helen was born May 14, 1941, in Thompson, IA, and graduated high school in Bricelyn, MN. She attended Luther College in Decorah, IA where she obtained a degree in education. Helen wed Curt Peterson in 1963 and they were married for over 51 years.

After college, Helen worked as a 2nd grade teacher, and then stayed home after the arrival of their son Anthony and daughter Sarah. In 1976, Curt and Helen moved from Minneapolis to a farm in Delano, MN where they learned how to raise livestock and crops. Helen even learned how to do minor animal surgery and loved to tell the story of being taught a particular procedure for male baby pigs by their neighbor, who was also the local Avon Lady.

For reasons neither Helen nor Curt could quite explain, an interest in planting a few apple trees in the late 80s evolved into the Fall Harvest Orchard business in the early 90s. What started as a roadside produce stand turned into a thriving seasonal business that they operated until Curt’s death in 2014, and still exists today under the ownership of a wonderful local family.

Helen cherished the role of Grandma and spent hours cuddling and playing with her grandsons, giving them so many memories of her gloriously uncomplicated love. She is remembered for her smile and her kind and generous spirit. If she ever heard that you needed something, she was there to help.

She is survived by son Anthony Peterson, daughter Sarah (Brett) Peterson Blomquist, grandsons Josh and Ben, sister Sharon (Jim) Oulman, brothers Rod Anderson and Doug Anderson (Frederick Allen), sisters-in-law Sue Wallerick and Pat Peterson, and many loving nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

She is also survived by Gracie, her impulse purchase shih-tzu (“I’ll never have another inside dog” was instantly forgotten when she saw the little furball that an orchard customer had for sale), who provided so much love and comfort to both Helen and Curt when they needed it most.