At 52 years old Kelly Ann Lund Peterson went home to meet her precious Savior on October 9th. She was born in Farmington, MN on April 13th, 1961; Daughter of Carl A. Lund & Phyliss Drury. She Attended school in Hudson, Wisconsin. Kelly was a proud and loving mother of three children (Cori, Trevor, & Caleb) and brand-new grandmother to a sweet baby girl (Ellie-3months).
Kelly’s Brief Life Story
After graduation she went to work at Linden HealthCare Nursing Home in Stillwater, MN where she stayed for 20 years. But she really found her dream job when she was able do what she was passionate about – which was working with troubled teens in the Stillwater Area School District as a paraprofessional. She was a very selfless person and gave tons of her leisure time to volunteer for so many things. One of her greatest passions was working with and mentoring children & teens. She volunteered at Teens for Christ Youth Group in Stillwater for over 7 years as a leader & mentor to the teens. Throughout her entire adult life she also worked with the children to put on Christmas programs, Vacation Bible School, Girls summer bible studies, and Music/Worship for Children’s Church at Valley Baptist Church and Faith Community Church. Kelly was the first to put together and start a teen Bible quizzing Team at Valley Baptist Church – and it has now grown exponentially because of her. Opening up her home to those in need was very commonplace for Kelly. She was so caring and compassionate and loved serving others in this way. She sheltered and fed refugees from Somalia, traveling missionaries, teens in between homes and sick family members. An underlying passion was lived out throughout her life when she volunteered for Prolife Ministries – advocating for the life of the unborn. When she turned 50, Kelly got to fulfill a few dreams of hers. She went Skydiving and also went on her very first overseas mission trip to Ethiopia, Africa where she got to love on so many Compassion Children. Many know of the things Kelly had learned on her recent cancer journey as she was continually sharing and teaching those around her what she had experienced and learned. This included talking about different dietary strategies and alternative/integrative treatments that were available for many illnesses. Her many virtues include Selflessness, Funny, Faithful, Servant hearted, Humble, and Truthful. Her strong, passionate, and lively personality will be greatly missed.
Kelly’s Cancer Journey:
Kelly had been heroically fighting breast cancer since July 2010. Her battle with cancer has been different than most. After her diagnosis, and learning what her options were, she decided to bravely decline conventional methods to treat her cancer. She made this informed decision despite the overwhelming fear, scorn, and opposition she received from doctors and others. For the first 2 years she was doing well with managing the cancer. Her alternative treatments set her on a healthy path and she looked and felt better than she had in years. Her cancer was well under control until this past summer. During this last Spring a lot of unforeseen stresses compounded in Kelly’s life. Last July, she noticed a change in her health. She then buckled down on her routine and diet to bring it back around. Unfortunately the cancer got more aggressive, and she knew more needed to be done so she began researching clinics in the U.S. that offered alternative treatments. In October she started feeling sick and also started experiencing pain. Last November, Kelly, her husband, and their family decided they needed to seek help elsewhere. They found a cancer clinic with an integrative approach that combines the latest conventional and alternative cancer treatments. Over the years the center has seen tremendous results in controlling and reversing cancer in Stage 4 patients. The hospital is called Oasis of Hope, and is located in Irvine, California, Hope is exactly what she experienced there for two weeks in October. She saw results and was able to return home and to work. But several weeks later the pain returned in full force and they found out the cancer had metastasized to her bones. She and her sister Lori decided to go back to the Oasis of Hope in California for more treatments. They were there 7 weeks receiving low dose Chemotherapy and other alternative/integrative treatments. After those 7 weeks she returned home and praise God her next two scans showed that the cancer had significantly decreased and was almost completely out of the bones! In late July Kelly starting experiencing the pain of her frozen shoulder, lymphedema, and then an additional symptom of shortness of breath. These symptoms and more only continued to progress over the next weeks and months. Lori & Kelly were 1 day away from traveling back out to California for another new integrative treatment that was specific to her blood and her type of cancer. But the cancer and the breathing was just too much and she was admitted to Regions hospital in St. Paul. She fought hard until her very last breath. She never gave up, or ever lost faith in her God throughout her entire journey. She only grew stronger in faith and dependence on Him. Kelly peacefully passed away and was surrounded by family singing and praying over her the morning of Oct. 9th, 2013.
She is survived by her husband, Jim; children: Cori (Jacob) Mulack-Pierson, and daughter, Ellie, Trevor Mulack, and Caleb Peterson; along with her brothers, sisters, nieces, and nephews.
A visitation for Kelly will be held from 2-6 p.m. on Sunday, October 13, 2013 at the O’Connell Family Funeral Home, 520 S. 11th St., Hudson. A Celebration of Her Life will take place at 3 p.m. on Monday, October 14 at Faith Community Church, 777 Carmichael Rd., Hudson. with a visitation one hour prior to the service at church. Interment at Fairview Cemetery.
In Lieu of flowers, contributions to the family preferred. Donations can be made on Kelly’s Benefit website: www.youcaring.com/medical-fundraiser/kelly-s-healing-benefit/39293
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