Niala Petersen, 70, died Saturday, May 29, 2010, at her residence in White. Funeral services will be 10:30 A.M. Wednesday, June 2, 2010, at the United Methodist Church in White, with interment in Fairview Cemetery. Visitations will be from 5-8 P.M. Tuesday at Eidsness Funeral Chapel in White.


Niala Jean (Kjergaard) Petersen was born April 14, 1940, in Lincoln County, Minnesota, to Einer and Edna (Petersen) Kjergaard. She was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran church where she developed a strong faith in God. She grew up on the farm north of Lake Benton where she enjoyed helping her father with farm work. She attended country school at District No. 4 near Lake Benton and graduated in 1958 from West Central School in agriculture in Morris, Minnesota.


On May 9, 1959, Niala married Raymond Petersen at Lake Benton. The couple farmed near Arco and Verdi, Minnesota, from 1959 until 1964 until moving to Luverne, Minnesota, where Niala was employed as a waitress. In 1966 the Petersons moved to Mason City, Iowa, where Niala was again employed as a waitress. They lived in St. Paul, Minn., where Niala worked as a a bookkeeper, waitress, and a butcher and skinner in a packing house. In 1977 the Petersens moved to White, where they farmed, owned the Gambles Store and Redwood Lounge. Niala worked at the Coast to Coast Warehouse in Brookings and Hansens Meat Market in White, and the Petersens owned and operated Champs Bar and Grill in White. Niala also worked at the White Healthcare Center.


Niala was a member of the Deubrook Booster Club and the White Community Club. She enjoyed putting puzzles together, crafts, bird watching, gardening, ballgames, and spending time with her grandchildren and family.


Survivors include her husband, Raymond F. Petersen, of White; five sons: Michael (Julie) of White, Monte (Jean) of Colton, Mark (Nancy) of Brandon, Maurice (Geana) of Waddell, Ariz., and Matt (Tiffany) of White; a daughter, Marlene Cookie (Jess) Montis, of White; 17 grandchildren; six step-grandchildren; a great-granddaughter; two step-great-granddaughters; two sisters, Merna (Fred) Salmon of Balsam Lake, Wisc., and Lana (Ron) Fossell of Kennedy, Minn.; a brother, Steve (Cheryl) Kjergaard of Lake Benton; sisters-in-law: Ann Petersen of Lake Benton and Arlene (Dale) Lambert of Verdi; and nieces and nephews and many other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; a granddaughter, Darcy; a sister, Glenyce; and a niece, Pamela.