Lela A. “Le” Peterson, age 99, longtime resident of Freeborn, MN, died Wednesday, August 12, 2026 at Parkview Care Center in Wells, MN.  A Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, August 15, 2026 at 1:00 PM at Nasinec Funeral Home in Wells, MN. (789 Business Park Drive, Wells, MN  56097).  Visitation will be held from Noon-1:00 PM at the funeral home.  Burial will be in the Freeborn Cemetery.  Pastor Marcia Pedersen will officiate the service.

Lela was born August 8, 1927 on the farm near Rockham, SD, the seventh child of Art and Mabel (Keller) Werner. She attended country school through 8th grade and graduated from Redfield High School in 1945. She married Richard Ingrahm in 1947 and to this union two children were born, and the couple later divorced. Le married Peter Peterson in 1956 and he adopted her children. They moved to Freeborn June 16,1962 where they owned and operated Pete’s Bar. They sold the bar in 1978 when Peters health began to fail. Peter passed away June 30,1979.

Lela served 20 years on the Freeborn City Council, 7 years on the County Advisory Board and 30 years as an Election Judge. She started the Museum in the little county schoolhouse and served as curator at the Freeborn Area Heritage Building. She started and led the exercise group for 10 years and was active in church projects. She loved to volunteer, do crafts, crossword puzzles, sewing and traveling.

She is preceded in death by her husband Peter; her parents; in laws Clarence and Stella Peterson, 6 brothers; 1 sister; 4 nephews; 1 godson; 4 sisters-in-law and one brother-in-law.

Lela is survived by her children: Trudy (Charlie) Benedict of Hastings, MN and Roger Peterson of Rochester, MN; grandchildren: Brian (Diane) Meyer and Stephanie (Andrew) Lovich; 4 step-grandchildren; 8 great grandchildren; 8 step-great grandchildren and 8 great-great grandchildren.