Jeanette Susens

Jeanette Peterson Susens left this world to live with her Lord on December 12, 2007 from the Community Memorial Home in Osakis, MN.
Jeanette Brooks was born on June 25, 1920 in Sioux Falls, S Dakota to Ray and Helen (Dwight) Brooks. After high school, Jeanette attended South Dakota State College and received her bachelor's degree in Home Economics Education. On June 26, 1942 Jeanette married the handsome man she met at college, Royce Peterson. While Royce served his country during WWII, Jeanette was a house mother to the boys at the Farmhouse Fraternity at the University in Brookings. When Royce returned from the war, they moved to Parkers Prairie, MN and operated a dry cleaning business. In 1948 the Peterson's moved to Osakis and Royce taught adult Ag classes and Jeanette worked as a substitute teacher at Osakis High School. They purchased the Hatchery business in Osakis and Jeanette enjoyed these busy years of working and raising five children. She volunteered as a Girl Scout and Cub Scout leader, was an original member of the Osakis PEO chapter and belonged to a sewing club. She was a member of the Osakis Lutheran Church, the Esther Circle and lead Bible studies for many years. Her husband Royce died in 1976 and ten years later, Jeanette married Bill Susens.
Throughout her life, Jeanette was active in her community. She was a former member and the first woman to serve on the Osakis school board and was also on the board of the AFS, a foreign exchange program. This was how Jeanette came to know and claim another son, Owen Davis, an exchange student from Adelaide, Australia that lived with the Peterson's. She also served on the Osakis Heritage board, the Douglas County Historical board, and the Douglas County Social Services board of directors, and as the director of the RSVP program for the West Central Community Actions board.
When not busy attending meetings, Jeanette enjoyed many hobbies. She was a talented seamstress who also enjoyed cooking and entertaining. She loved to read and was a member of the Great Books club. One of her favorite things to do, however, was to partake in her children's many activities. She was a devoted Osakis sports fan and loved to cheer for the Minnesota Vikings. She was an adoring mother and grandma as well as a good neighbor and friend. She will be lovingly remembered by all who knew her.
She is survived by her children, Ken (Connie Lewis) Peterson of St. Paul, Mike (Beth) Peterson of Edina, Tim (Joan) Peterson of Osakis and Helen Ann (Brian) Wagner of Alexandria; 10 grandchildren; 4 great grandchildren; her foreign exchange son, Owen (Marian) Davis of Adelaide, Australia; a brother, Rill (Rosemary) Brooks of Lake Placid, FL; a sister, Betty Thal of Denver, CO; many nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her parents, her husbands, Royce Peterson and Bill Susens; a son and daughter-in-law, Bill and Linda Vickers-Peterson.
Funeral services were held on Sunday, December 16, 2007 at 2:00 pm at the Osakis Lutheran Church in Osakis with Rev. Ron Calvert officiating. Organist was Joan Sprague. Interment was at the Pleasant Hill Cemetery in rural Osakis with honorary pallbearers the members of the Osakis PEO chapter. Active bearers were her grandsons, Chad, Mark, Nick, Eric Royce and Kristian Peterson and Jay Wagner. Lunch was provided after the services by the ladies of Esther Circle back at the church fellowship hall.
Arrangements were handled by the Roy-Hetland Funeral Home in Osakis, MN.