Marlene Joyce Peterson, 74, of Maricopa, AZ, died Wednesday, July 1, 2015, at Banner Casa Grande Medical Center in Casa, Grande, AZ.
Marlene was born November 17, 1940, in Caledonia, MN, the daughter of Dale and Evelyn Senn Besse. She was married to Marlin Howard, and they later divorced. In the 1960s and early 1970s, Marlene, operated the Clip and Curl Beauty Salon in Fountain, MN. She enjoyed competing in hair shows, playing the accordion, organ, bowling in a league, and reading. Much to the delight of her children, she “loved” dogs and raised miniature poodles. In the mid 1970s, Marlene, and her husband Robert, operated Soup and Subs Restaurant across from St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester, MN. Marlene enjoyed hosting patrons and made friends from around the globe. In 1981, Marlene relocated to Maricopa, AZ, where she was a property manager for La Quinta Hotels and later owned a small transportation company.
She was preceded in death by her parents; grandparents Guy and Wilma Besse, Edgar and Margret Senn of Caledonia; and grandchildren Ashley Kepp of Rochester, MN, and Nicole Peterson of Hayward, WI.
Marlene will be greatly missed by her husband, Robert of Maricopa, AZ; children Renee (Gary) Howard of Elk Grove, CA, Diane L. Howard of Rochester, MN, Dana (Sherry) Howard of Colora, MD, Tammi (Mike) Mallos of Richland, MI, David (Pam) Peterson of Hayward, WI; grandchildren Joshua, Nikki, Demitrius, Rachel, Luke, Cassey, Makayla, Brenna, and Alina; and her siblings Gin (Rich) Schwebach and Lyle (Joann) Besse.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, July 17, at the Four Seasons Community Center in Caledonia, MN, with Pastor Dana Howard officiating. A brief committal service will follow at Evergreen Cemetery in Caledonia. Family and friends are invited to attend both the service and the following reception, which lasts until 2 p.m. at the Four Seasons.