Mary Jane (Monson) Peterson, 78, of Osceola, WI, died at home on July 28, 2025.

Mary Jane was born April 4, 1947 to Donald Monson of Wilmot, SD and Dorothy Monson (nee Rogers) of St. Paul’s west end. In the 50’s the family settled permanently on Tanner's Lake in Oakdale. Mary Jane attended Transfiguration parish elementary school and then North St. Paul public schools. She graduated from North St. Paul High School in 1965.

Mary Jane was very bright and the first of her family to attend college. She started at the University of Minnesota in the fall of 1965. With a few years off to marry and start a family, she graduated in 1977.

In 1968 Mary Jane met William Peterson at Sunray shopping mall’s JC Penney, where they both worked. They married, had two children, and raised them in St. Paul & Lake Elmo.

Mary Jane followed her husband into professional real estate appraisal & analysis and was integral to the success of his business practice over 30 years. In her later career she worked as a residential assessor for Ramsey County. Mary Jane and William retired to Osceola, WI in 2012. In retirement they enjoyed traveling with relatives and friends.

Mary Jane is survived by husband of 56 years William, son William (Holly), daughter Melinda Wisgerhof (Scott), grandchildren Reed & Rory Wisgerhof, William & Sebastian Peterson, siblings Judy Reifler (Roger), Deborah Connor (Pat), Melinda Nelson (Tim), Suzanne Lauer (Tim), Scott Monson (Laurie Ohs), and many beloved nieces, nephews, in-laws, & friends. Preceded in death by her parents, brothers Donald Jr. & Gregory, niece Bridget Monson, in-laws William & Phyllis Peterson, brothers-in-law Robert Peterson & Gary Nelson, sister-in-law Mary Vomela, and uncle Larry Leonhart.

Visitation 10:00 AM, Mass 11:00 AM, Friday, August 22, 2025 at the Guardian Angels Catholic Church, Oakdale, MN. Burial at 10:15 AM, Monday, August 25, 2025 at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis, MN.

Last Update: Aug 07, 2025 7:27 am CDT