Funeral services for LouAnn Peterson, age 76, of Henning, were held on Friday, August 26, 2022 at Karvonen Funeral Home in Wadena, with Pastor Neal Irion officiating. Special music was provided by Joye Peterson. Congregational hymns were accompanied by Diane Hermanson. Pallbearers were LouAnn’s nephews: Peter Wallevand, Lonny Sandahl, Lenn Sandahl, Dale Sandahl, Landy Sandahl, and Todd Sandahl. Honorary Pallbearers were LouAnn’s grandchildren. LouAnn was laid to rest at Nidaros Lutheran Cemetery, rural Clitherall. 

LouAnn Mae Sandahl was born on May 31, 1946 in Wadena. Her parents were the late Leonard Theodore and Nora Amanda (Anderson) Sandahl. LouAnn attended the Vining School up until 8th Grade. She graduated from Henning High School with the class of 1964. LouAnn moved to Minneapolis right after high school where she was employed at Gamble-Skogmo and Minneapolis Moline. 

Christmas 1966 LouAnn sent a Christmas card to James Peterson, a young soldier from the area serving in Vietnam. They continued to write letters back and forth until he returned home. LouAnn and James were united in marriage on April 6th, 1968 at Nidaros Lutheran Church in Clitherall, Minnesota. Their marriage was blessed with 3 children: Eric, Evan, and Jana. 

LouAnn and Jim resided in Fridley, Minn., for a short time and then made their home in Henning. Children were special to her, and she owned and operated a home daycare for more than 25 years. 

LouAnn loved people and found her greatest joy investing in the relationships of her family and friends. She loved baking and having ladies over for a cup of coffee, talking over the phone, as well as going to Bible studies and Christian Women’s Club. LouAnn and Jim enjoyed traveling to Montana, Michigan, Duluth and Bemidji to spend time with loved ones, and spent many weekend evenings with their kids visiting friends and relatives. She had a knack for remembering birthdays, anniversaries, and special occasions and loved sending cards and letters and giving gifts. She enjoyed simple pleasures like cross stitching and Sunday afternoon drives in the Ottertail County countryside and around area lakes. 

Around the age of 12 years, her Sunday school teacher spoke to her about salvation, and she realized her need to be saved from her sin and called upon the Lord to save her. She had assurance that she was saved and expressed this even in her last moments. 

LouAnn passed away August 20, 2022 at Sanford Hospital in Fargo, N.D. at the age of 76 with her family by her side. For four years she courageously fought numerous heath battles with grace. She was a content, humble, kind, and thoughtful person. Even while enduring chronic illness and pain, she still found much pleasure in being with her husband, children and grandchildren and listening to Bible preaching and singing. 

Preceding LouAnn in death are her parents: Leonard and Nora Sandahl, infant son; brothers: Irvin and his wife Marian Sandahl, and LeRoy Sandahl. As well as her brothers-in-law: Earl Silbernagle, Neal Dufresne, and Dale Fiskum. 

Surviving LouAnn is her husband of 54 years, James Peterson of Henning who so faithfully cared for her the past four years during her illness. She is also survived by her two sons: Eric (Jessica) Peterson of Alexandria, Minn.; Evan (Joye) Peterson of Henning; daughter: Jana (Jon) Walsh of Fargo, N.D.; 6 grandchildren: Gavin and Griffin Peterson, Clara, Jens, and Leah Peterson, and Josiah Walsh; sisters: June Silbernagle of Billings, Mont., and LaVay (Larry) Wallevand of Henning; sisters-in-law: Lois Fiskum of Henning, Joanne Dufresne of Peoria, Ariz., Loris Sandahl of Glyndon, Minnesota; along with many nieces and nephews and a host of friends. 

Please visit www.karvonenfuneralhome.com to leave memorials and condolences on LouAnn’s Tribute Wall. 

Arrangements provided by Belmont-Karvonen Funeral & Cremation Service of Henning.