Mary Frances Peterson, 81, of Superior, was lovingly welcomed into heaven on the peaceful spring morning of May 14, 2026.

Mary was born in Superior on February 2, 1945, the daughter of Thomas Gene and Eva (Robertson) Rooney, one of seven children. She attended Cathedral High School and received accreditation from the Chicago School of Automation and Technology.

Mary met her husband, Don Peterson on a blind date 61 years ago and it didn’t take long for them to realize they were meant for one another. They wasted little time after their wedding and started their family off with a bang by having twin girls and soon added two sons to their busy family. Mary and Don celebrated 61 loving years of marriage until his death in 2025.

Over the years Mary worked at Jeno’s, Duluth School District, UWS and retired from Gateway Foods. She was an active member of St. Patrick’s Parish in Billings Park and Cathedral of Christ the King and enjoyed being a member of her treasured book club.

Mary and Don enjoyed gardening and spent most of their summer days tending to their beautiful flowers. Mary was an avid reader and shared her love of books with her children. She and her two daughters belonged to the same book club for many years and loved discussing each month’s selection. Mary was a wonderful baker, especially Christmas cookies. She would bake for weeks and spoil the family with trays of beautiful and delicious treats at Christmas. She was also known for her famous holiday ice cream layer Jello and chicken wings. She and Don enjoyed traveling over the years and wintering in Sarasota, FL.

Mary was a devoted and loving mother and grandmother. She and Don loved attending as many sports and activities of the grandchildren as they could. She was so proud of all of them and loved hearing about their careers and lives.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Don; beloved son Donald “Donny”; and siblings, Peter Rooney, Marlys Schuerman, Mickey Rooney and Rene Russom.

Mary is survived by her twin daughters, Denise (Shawn) Sorensen and Renee (Patrick) Heytens, both of Superior; son, Kevin Peterson of Superior; grandchildren, Nicole (John Swanke) Sorensen of Richfield, MN, Grant (Arianna Krautkremer) Sorensen of Superior, Gabrielle (Sean) Heytens O’Neill of St. Paul, Julia Heytens of Minneapolis, Chase Peterson of Duluth, Torie Peterson of Duluth, Matthew Peterson of Superior, Phillip (Morgan) Sorensen of Superior and Brian (Katie) Sorensen, of Superior; seven great grandchildren; siblings, Martha (Bob) Byrne of Superior and Mark (Pam) Rooney of Little Fork, MN; sisters-in-law, Marnie Rooney of Duluth, Patricia Compton of Ashland, and Vicki Rooney of St. Paul; brother-in-law, John Schuerman of Burlington, WI; and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday May 26th from 10:00 a.m. until the 11:00 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial at Cathedral of Christ the King Church, 1111 Belknap St., with Rev. Fr. Andrew P. Ricci as celebrant. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery. A luncheon will follow at VIP Pizza, 1201 Tower Ave., Superior.

If desired, memorials in Mary’s name may be made to Cathedral School, 1419 Baxter Ave., Superior.