Rachel (Westrum) Peterson

Rachel (Westrum) Peterson, 83, of Warren, Minnesota, passed away on March 6, 2026. She was born September 2, 1942, in Clearbrook, Minnesota, to Olai and Margaret (Halvorson) Westrum.

Rachel earned a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Bemidji State University and devoted much of her life to teaching, sharing her love of learning with students across multiple elementary grade levels, as well as in special education, physical education, art, and after-school programs. Early in her career, she also worked in Minneapolis at Merrill Lynch and Pillsbury.

Rachel was a proud Norwegian who joyfully shared her life with her husband, John, a proud Swede. She met John at the wedding of mutual friends. After a coffee date that followed, “love has been brewing ever since.” They were married on December 26, 1964, and shared 61 wonderful years together. John was a devoted partner and caregiver, lovingly supporting Rachel through her health battles, including cancer and diabetes.

Deeply devoted to her faith, Rachel was an active member of Warren Covenant Church, served through Shelter for Life International and The Covenant Church, and participated in mission trips to Mexico, Russia, the Middle East, Afghanistan, Taiwan, and Japan. She and John also welcomed a foreign exchange student into their home, reflecting their love for people and other cultures. 

Music was one of Rachel’s greatest joys. She taught piano lessons, accompanied a ladies trio, sang in the women’s group, All Spice, and served as the church organist for 40 years. 

Many would also remember Rachel as one of the leaders of the Pioneer Girls, a role in which she guided and inspired young girls in her community.

Rachel loved spending time with her family at Lake Ethel and enjoyed traveling to Colorado, Florida, Sweden, Norway, France, Switzerland, and England. She particularly cherished downhill ski trips and family adventures at Copper Mountain. She enjoyed water skiing, golf, bowling, playing baseball with her boys, and helping on the farm with field work. Rachel also loved sewing, quilting, and needlework, sharing her creativity with family and friends.

Rachel was known for her warmth, humility, loyalty, and kindness, and she was a true friend to many.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Olai and Margaret Westrum; parents-in-law, Helmer and Emmy Peterson; and sister-in-law, Jean Hill, brother-in-law Roger Joing. 

She is survived by her husband, John; sons Craig (Michele) and Kurt (Emily); grandchildren Carter (Grace), Caden, Emma, Cameron, Addison, Britta, and Kade; sister Helen (Stephen) Olson and brother Tim Westrum; sisters-in-law Karen Joing and Judy (Lonny) Helgemo; and brother-in-law David Hill, along with many nieces and nephews.

Above all, she will be remembered as a devoted farm wife, loving mother, proud grandmother, caring sister, and faithful friend, whose heritage, faith, music, and love enriched the lives of all who knew her.

FUNERAL SERVICE: 10:30 AM on Monday, March 16, 2026 at Warren Covenant Church in Warren, MN.
A LIVESTREAM from the Warren Covenant Church may be found here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXmlbAcFGzs

VISITATION: 5:00 – 7:00 PM on Sunday, March 15, 2026 at Warren Covenant Church in Warren and one hour before services on Monday.

INTERMENT: Greenwood Cemetery, Warren, MN

IN LIEU OF FLOWERS: The family prefers memorials to the WAO Education Foundation or the Bluewater Bible Camp “Every Kid a Camper” fund.