Ruth Hansen, 100, of Mountain Lake, MN, formerly of Dell Rapids, SD, passed away on Tuesday, January 24, 2017. Her funeral service will begin at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 28, 2017  in the Lutheran Church of Dell Rapids Chapel. Visitation will be two hours prior to the start of the service.

Ruth Louise Pfefferle was born to William and Louise (Kessler) Pfefferle on their farm near Rock Valley, Iowa, on September 5, 1916.

The family moved to a farm near Lyons, South Dakota in the early 1930’s and Ruth graduated from high school in Lyons.

She married Vernon S. Peterson in October of 1942 in Luverne, Minnesota. The following two years were spent in Detroit, Michigan while Vernon served as a Captain in the military. During that time they had two sons and then moved back to Colman, South Dakota for Vernon to begin his Veterinary practice in 1945. During the next twelve years, the couple had two more sons. After Vernon passed away suddenly in December of 1957, Ruth moved with her four sons to Dell Rapids to raise them closer to her family. She was a wonderful, loving mother as her sons finished school and started their own families.

In July of 1980, Ruth married Harold Hansen. The two of them enjoyed each others’ families and going to old time dances sometimes two to three times a week. Ruth loved to cook and bake, and especially loved growing tomatoes and canning them in the summer. Ruth loved spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren; telling stories of her youth and recalling memories of her life on the farm.

She was a long time member of the Legion Auxiliary and the Lutheran Church of Dell Rapids.

Celebrating her life are her sons, William Peterson of Lead, SD, Vernon (Cheryl) Peterson of Mt. Lake, MN, Raymond Peterson of Mankato, MN and  James Peterson of Mt. Lake, MN; step-children, Judy(Reed) Grace of Sioux Falls, Mary (Allen) Buller of Sioux Falls and Harold (Pat) Hansen of Garland, TX, Diane (Lyndon) Oleson of Sioux Falls, Cheryl (Wayne) Liester of Garretson, SD and Bill (Lori) Hansen of Sioux Falls, SD; her 23 grandchildren and 29 great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Vernon S. Peterson, husband, Harold G. Hansen, sister, Vera Munk and brother, Nathan Pfefferle.

Memorials may be directed to the Dell Rapids Lutheran Church Chapel Restoration Fund.

 Service Information