Rose Marie “Toots” (Dufner) Peterson of Miles City, Montana passed away on Saturday, May 15, 2021 when her 93 year old body could no longer keep up with her young spirit. In honor of Rose’s request, no public service is planned. A private graveside service will be held May 17.
Rose was born on June 2, 1927 in Sauk Center, Minnesota, a daughter of Mathias and Mary (Verkinnis) Dufner. Rose was the eldest of nine children. The family moved to Glendive in 1930. She attended Sacred Heart School and graduated from Dawson County High School with the class of 1947.
While growing up, Rose worked at the local dairy, which her family later purchased and renamed Dufner’s Dairy. During the war, in a little shed across from the dairy, Rose and her sister Marge put wooden boxes together to ship butter to the troops overseas. She said it was “hotter than hell in that little shed”.
Years later, Rose attended a dance at the VFW where she met her future husband Hartwick “Pete” Peterson. They were married August 19, 1953. Pete was a carpenter and helped build a church, a school and many other buildings in Montana. This job took them from Glendive to Livingston and finally to Miles City.
One of Rose’s greatest pleasures was to bring a smile to someone else. She spent hours selecting just the right birthday card for family and friends. The cards reflected her sense of humor and brought a smile to the face of those fortunate enough to receive a card from her.Rose was preceded in death by her husband Pete, granddaughter Laurel Young, brothers Leroy and Floyd Dufner and sister Marge Reynolds, brothers-in-law Jack Reynolds and Dave Quale, and sister-in-law Carolyn Dufner.
Rose is survived by three daughters Sharon (Mike) Young, Sue (Pat) Bishop, and Patti (Sean) Earling. Eight grandchildren Laurel, Kirsten (Kneeland) and Evan Young; Kendal and Jarrett Bishop; Alex, Olivia, and Isaac Earling and three living great grandchildren; Andrew and Laurel Kneeland and Kenedi Bishop.
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital held a special place in her heart. If you would like to dedicate a donation in Rose’s memory send to www.stjude.org.
A special thank you to the Hospice and Residential Living staff who lovingly cared for mom.
Service Schedule
Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.
Service Schedule
Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.
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Diane M Welbes says
Sorry to hear about your loss. May it comfort you to know; that I care
Lourdes Reynolds says
Sue ,Sharon and Patty it was great for me to be able to give you a big hug today -I know your mom was smiling down on us as we reminisced—may god be with you in the following days keeping you in my thoughts and prayers 🙏🏼❤️
Terry and Rosemary Young says
Sharon, Sue, Patty and families, your Mom was very special and she will be missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with you as you celebrate her and the wonderful life she lived. 🌷🌻🌹
MARTHA CRANDALL says
My sympathy
De Nice Curry and Kim Feil says
As Rose next door neighbors, we always checked on her if we didn’t see her for awhile. We enjoyed her stories she told us when we would see her outside before she stopped coming outside. We will miss her as our next door neighbor. May God be with all of you at this time of loss in the family. De Nice Curry and Kim Feil
Chris Gierke says
Sue, Sharon, Patty & family,
So sorry to hear about your mom.
Keeping you & your family in my thoughts & prayers.
Cindy and Dale Berg says
Rose’s Family,
So sorry for the loss you of your mom and grandma. She was such a sweet lady and we know you will miss her dearly. She was such a wonderful neighbor to us for many years and we have missed her. Rest In Peace dear Rose. Keeping you in our thoughts and prayers. God bless!
Denise(Ballentine) Borntrager says
Our condolences to the family and friends of Rose Marie Peterson at this difficult time. Remember all the visits with the family as they lived across the alley from us when we were growing up. Her parents lived on the other end of the block from us. We visited them quite often too. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
RIchard Franks says
She was my Aunt Pete and Uncle Bud’s inlaws. My aunt and uncle have passed away years ago.