Bloomington – Barbara Bjorkman Peterson, age 87, of Bloomington died peacefully on January 10, 2023 with family by her side. Barb was born in Thief River Falls on May 19, 1935 to Lawrence and Thelma (Langlie) Bjorkman. She graduated from Lincoln High School and from St. Olaf College where she majored in English.
At St. Olaf she met Charles (Dick) Peterson and they married in 1957. While Dick attended the University of Minnesota Medical School, Barb taught English and German at Alexander Ramsey High School in Roseville.
In 1960 they moved to Oregon where Dick had postgraduate training and Barb again taught school. After Dick completed two years in the US Army, the family moved to Edina in 1968, where Barb became involved in church, school, and community activities.
When children arrived (Kristian in 1963, Rolf in 1965, and Katherine in 1970), Barb switched from teaching the children of others to helping her own. Barb later applied her teaching skills at Normandale Lutheran Church, where she served as director of the confirmation program for over ten years.
She trained as a Master Gardener and Stephen Minister, being active in both for over 25 years. She was also a volunteer at the Minnesota and Brainerd Arboretums, Habitat for Humanity, the Lake Hubert Conservation Association, and Lutheran Church of the Cross in Nisswa.
Issues dear to her heart were climate change, preventing gun violence, wilderness preservation, world hunger, and literacy.
Barb was preceded in death by her parents and brother Mark (Gail) Bjorkman.
She is survived by her husband, Dick; sons, Kris Peterson and Rolf (Maggie) Peterson; daughter, Kate (Rich) Pehrson; grandchildren, Samantha Peterson, Alexandra Peterson, Sofia Pehrson and Berit Pehrson; and brother, David (Gloria) Bjorkman.
A Celebration of Life was held for Barbara on January 30, 2023 at Normandale Lutheran Church in Edina.
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