Lillian Mavis “Til” Peterson, age 88 of Ellsworth, WI, passed away December 31st, 2019 at the Ellsworth Senior Living. Lillian was born January 20, 1931 in Red Wing, MN to Joseph and Helga (Swanson) Hilden. She graduated from Ellsworth High School, the Class of 1948. Til was united in marriage to Marlin Peterson on April 5, 1952 at English Lutheran Church in Ellsworth. Together they farmed the family farm in Bay City and raised their six children, who were her greatest joy.
Til was the Hartland Township Treasurer for 14 years, having worked as an election clerk several years prior. Voting was an important privilege to Til. She was an active member of Tabor Lutheran Church, serving as Lutheran Women President twice, and was a Sunday school teacher. After retirement, in 1998, Til and Marlin moved to Ellsworth and became members of English Lutheran Church, where she had been confirmed and married.
Music was a very important part of Til’s life, as was her church and her faith, family, and friends. Til enjoyed working on crossword puzzles and playing card games. Throughout her life, she enjoyed bowling leagues, bicycling, dancing, and golfing. She also delighted in her Red Hat Club friendships, her flower gardens on the farm, and spending the winter months in retirement at Gulf Shores, Alabama with her husband Marlin.
Til will remain in the hearts of her loving husband of 67 years, Marlin; 3 daughters and 3 sons: Jill (Ronnie) Hague of Ellsworth, Kay Musick of Ozark, AL, Terri (Mark) Ruppel of Cumberland, WI, Jeff (Steffani) Peterson of San Francisco, CA, Rick Peterson of Denison, TX, and Lorin (fiancée, Amporn Cline) of Rosemount, MN; 14 grandchildren: Becky (Clayton), Roger (Jesseca), Jimmy, Anna (Darren), Stacey (Amsie), Griff (Megan), Graham (Kellsey), Arielle, Sierra, Laura, Rachel (Blake), Samantha M. (Braedon), Samantha C., and Michael; 19 great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews, and other dear relatives.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Helga Hilden; stepfather, Lloyd Couch; brother, Clifford Hilden; 4 sisters-in-law; 3 brothers-in-law; 1 niece; and 3 nephews.
A Gathering of Family and Friends will take place from 4:00 – 7:00 PM Friday, January 10, 2020 at the O’Connell-Benedict Family Funeral Home, 130 N. Grant St., Ellsworth, and one hour prior to the service Saturday at church. A Memorial Service will be held 11:00 AM Saturday, January 11, 2020 at English Lutheran Church, 229 W. Main St., Ellsworth, with Pastor Jeff Smith officiating. Interment will take place at a later date at Oakwood Cemetery in Red Wing, MN. In remembrance of Til, memorials may be directed to English Lutheran Church.
Funeral services are entrusted to the O’Connell-Benedict Family Funeral Home of Ellsworth (715) 273-4421. www.oconnellfuneralservices.com
