Marvella Peterson, age 79, of 1345 Michigan Ave. SW, Huron, SD, died Friday, September 4, 2009, at SunQuest Healthcare Center in Huron.

Her funeral service will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, September 8, at First Presbyterian Church in Bonilla with burial at Altoona Cemetery, rural Hitchcock.

Visitation will be Monday from 1-8 p.m. at Welter Funeral Home with family present from 5:30-7 p.m. and a Prayer Service at 7 p.m.; or Tuesday morning one hour prior to the service at the church.

Marvella Peterson was born Marvella J. Martin on October 28, 1929, to Leslie and Thelma (Tollefson) Martin in Huron, SD. The family was living on a farm near Bonilla at the time of her birth. Marvella attended country school near Bonilla and graduated from Bonilla High School in 1947. She then attended Huron College and received her teaching certificate. She taught at Puffer Country School near Hitchcock.

On January 2, 1948, Marvella married Harlan Peterson in Spearfish, SD. The couple lived and farmed near Bonilla. Harlan died in 1981. Marvella moved into Bonilla in 1995; to Hitchcock in August of 2001; and became a resident of SunQuest Healthcare Center in Huron on January 20, 2003.

She was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Bonilla; Sunday school teacher; church elder; and the UPW (United Presbyterian Church).

Her love and joy was spending time with her many grandchildren. Her many interests included sewing, quilting, playing chord organ, jig-saw and crossword puzzles, gardening and yard work.

She is survived by 3 sons, Don (Kay) Peterson of Huron, Lance (Karen Dorris) Peterson of Hitchcock, and Layne Peterson of Hitchcock; 4 daughters, Sharyl (Richard) Thomas of Burbank, SD, Sharlene (Tom) Gilbert of Hitchcock, Terri (Reed) Bixler of Hitchcock, and Lori (Kent) Jungemann of Wolsey; 24 grandchildren, Janet (Duane) Deneke, Jeff (Jeni) Thomas, Charles (Connie) Lovett, Allison Stirman, April (Jeff) Noteboom, Aaron (Michelle) Gilbert, Phil Gilbert, Scott (Brandi) Gilbert, Joni Gilbert, Corey Jungemann, Stacy Jungemann, David (Megan) Bixler, Jill (Nathan) Rude, Brian (Erin) Peterson, Brad (Amanda) Peterson, Amber (Chad) Erdmann, Tasha (Rob) Stahl, Jayme Peterson, Kristina (Chris Brenner) Peterson, Kristin (Jake) Miller, Dustin Dorris, Nate Peterson, Jordy Peterson, and Shanae Peterson; 38 great grandchildren; 3 great great grandchildren; 2 sisters, Deloris (Tom) Zender of Sioux Falls, and Lana (Ray) McDaniel of Huron; 3 sisters-in-law, Virginia Martin of Fargo, ND, Maretta Martin of Hitchcock, and Claire Martin of Onida.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Harlan in 1981; 1 grandson, Travis Bixler; and 5 brothers, Wendell, Ronnie, Roger, Larry, and Russell Martin.