Karen Ruth Peterson

Karen (Neyhart) Peterson, 88, of Bloomington, Minnesota, passed away September 13, 2026. Born November 14, 1937, in Montevideo, Minnesota, to Marvel and Signora (Trelstad) Neyhart, Karen centered her life on family, creativity, and service.

In high school and college, Karen worked as a lifeguard at the Montevideo pool. Named Montevideo Fiesta Queen in 1957, she participated in the Minneapolis Aquatennial and the St. Paul Winter Carnival. She graduated from South Dakota State University with a degree in Home Economics.

After college, Karen and John married in 1959 and moved to Aurora, Illinois, where she taught second grade and home economics. In 1965, they settled in Bloomington, Minnesota, and raised their three children there. For more than 30 winters, they enjoyed Arizona’s sunshine, friendships, and community.

Karen’s many interests included sewing, quilting, photography, coin collecting, and bridge. An amazing cook and outstanding baker, she shared both generously with family and friends. She contributed to, read, and collected cookbooks, and her creativity and care made many gatherings memorable.

John and Karen shared 67 years together. She is survived by John, her children, Steve Peterson (Kalli) of Bloomington, Minnesota, Pam Eckhardt (David) of Goodyear, Arizona, and David Peterson (Lulu) of Richmond, Virginia; and her grandchildren, Ashe, Nora, Michael and Cole. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Peter, of Juneau, Alaska.

A memorial service will be held at St. Stephen Lutheran Church, 8400 France Avenue, Bloomington, on Thursday, September 17, at 1:30 p.m., with visitation one hour prior and a reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Marvel W. and Signora Neyhart scholarship fund at the St. Paul and Minnesota Foundation are preferred.