Joan Elaine Peterson (formerly Arndtson) passed away peacefully on Monday, January 9, 2012 at Valley Home assisted living facility in Thief River Falls. Funeral Service will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, January 14, 2012 at Zion Lutheran Church, Thief River Falls, MN with Rev. Ale Tulu officiating. Burial will follow at Greenwood Cemetery, Thief River Falls, MN. Visitation will be held from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM, with a 7:00 PM Prayer Service on Friday, January 13, 2012 at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, MN. Visitation will also be one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday. Joan was born on October 7th, 1930 in Thief River Falls to Nellie (formerly Holmstead) and Oscar Arndtson. She was baptized and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls. She attended public school in Thief River Falls and graduated in 1948 from Lincoln High School. She then went on to earn a business certificate at the Minnesota School of Business in Minneapolis and became employed at Gambles in Thief River Falls. In 1952, Joan was united in marriage at Zion Lutheran to Glenn (Pete) Peterson, also at the time a Gambles employee. In 1957, the couple had their first child, Thomas (now of Milwaukee, WI) and in 1960 their second son, David (now of West Fargo), was born. Joan was also eventually employed by Land O' Lakes in Thief River Falls and, after she and Pete had become part owners of Falls Supply Co. (later Napa), she served as the bookkeeper for the business. Joan over the years enjoyed a number of activities, including gardening, golf, bowling, bridge and was an active member of Zion Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls. She also was an avid reader. Joan took a special interest and pleasure in her granddaughter, Karlotta, of Milwaukee, WI. Joan Peterson was preceded in death by her parents and her husband of 54 years, Pete, who died in 2006. She will be dearly missed by her son, David, his wife, Vicki, her other son, Tom, his wife Frances Chunjing and her granddaughter. Joan is also survived by several nieces and nephews, including Judy Knapp (formerly Magnuson) of Ft. Atkinson, WI, Michael Magnuson of Pine Island, MN, and Linda Anderson (formerly Magnuson) of Nisswa, MN. Surviving cousins include Pat Braaten (formerly Baake) of Thief River Falls and Harriet Kiesow of Goodridge, MN.