Ruth LaDell Petersen was born to David and Gertrude (Frinkman) Thomas on Nov. 16, 1929, in Centerville, S.D. She grew up in Centerville and graduated from Centerville High School. After graduation, she worked in a dental office until she met Just Dewayne Petersen. On March 11, 1950, LaDell and Dewayne were united in marriage at the First Baptist Church in Centerville. The couple made their home in Irene, S.D. where they farmed and raised their sons Kenneth and Keith.
In 1965, the family moved to Vermillion, S.D. where LaDell discovered her passion for flowers and started her lifelong career as a florist. The family moved to Luverne, Minn., in 1971 and LaDell began working at Luverne Flowers where she worked for the next 19 years. She continued arranging flowers and lovingly tended to the many beautiful roses in her yard after finishing her floral career.
LaDell was a kind-hearted woman that loved to help others. She was a member of the Pink Ladies and volunteered regularly in her retirement. She was an active member of the First Baptist Church in Luverne where she held the title of deaconess. She loved the church and was a devoted Christian who was always willing to help wherever she saw a need.LaDell became a resident of the Good Samaritan Society in Luverne in 2019 where she enjoyed being near her family and friends. In 2022, after her son Kenneth moved to Superior, LaDell moved into Avera Sunrise Manor in Tyler, Minn., where her granddaughter Ashley works as a nurse. LaDell quickly became a loved resident of Sunrise Manor and formed a deep friendship with her roommate Annie. LaDell passed away on Friday, May 29, 2026, at the Avera Tyler Sunrise Manor in Tyler, at the age of 96 years, six months and 13 days.
She had fond memories of attending car races with Dewayne and watching their son Keith race. She was an avid reader, cat lover, and enjoyed taking long walks. She loved to sew and was always creating something for her family and friends. Most of all, she loved the time spent with her children and grandchildren.
LaDell is loving remembered by her sister, Carol (Donely) Aisenbrey of Menno, S.D.; sons, Kenneth (Mary) Petersen of Superior, WI and Keith (Melanie) Petersen of Luverne, Minn.; her grandchildren, Nicholas (Kori) Petersen, Kathleen (Conor Haggerty) Lyndgaard. and Ashley (Patrick) Hunt; her great grandchildren, Leah, Zurie, Kingston, Lucy, Sydney, Miles, Elsa, Beckett, and Emerson; as well many other family and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, David and Gertrude Thomas; sisters, Lois Hansen and Esther Lounsbery; and her former husband, Dewayne Petersen.
