Shirlee M. Peterson, 80, of Owatonna, died peacefully after a courageous battle with cancer on Wednesday, September 9, 2009 at her home. She was born October 6, 1928 in Trimont, Minnesota the daughter of Berger and Viola (Jensen) Bergeson. Shirlee graduated from Blue Earth High School, and then attended Concordia College and received her RN degree from Methodist Kahler in Rochester. Shirlee married Clair Peterson August 27, 1950, and the couple lived in North Dakota and Montana. The couple moved to Owatonna in 1960, and Shirlee worked at the Owatonna Hospital as a surgery supervisor retiring in 1980. Shirlee will be remembered for the beautiful quilts she hand stitched for her home, and for her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was a collector of Norwegian and Danish crafts and dishes. She created numerous needlework pieces, was an avid reader, enjoyed playing bridge, and loved to cook for her family. She traveled with her husband and friends to destinations throughout the United States, and several foreign countries. She was a woman of faith; humble generous, and good hearted throughout her life. Shirlee was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and friend. She is survived by her husband Clair of fifty nine years, daughters, Andrea (and Brian) Hild of West Des Moines, Ellen (and Guy) Lanphere of Columbia, MO, son, Barry (and Sue) Peterson of Owatonna. Shirlee is also survived by her grandchildren Guy (and Melissa) Lanphere, Andrew Lanphere, Sarah (and David) Falcon, Jared Peterson, Kristie Peterson, and Meredith Hild, and great grandchildren Nolan Falcon, and Jaycie Jacobson. She was preceded in death by her parents Berger and Viola Bergeson, and father and mother in law Manville and Hazel Peterson, and an infant daughter. Visitation will be at Michaelson Funeral Home on Sunday September 13, 2009 from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM, and one hour prior to the service at the church on Monday. Funeral service will be held Monday September 14, 2009 at 2:00 PM at Trinity Lutheran Church with The Reverend John Lestock officiating. Interment will be in the Forest Hill Cemetery in Owatonna. Memorials are preferred to Owatonna Hospice, Trinity Lutheran Church or the Donor''s Choice. Visitation: 09/13/2009 15:00 09/13/2009 18:00 Service: and one hour prior to the service at the church. 09/14/2009 14:00