Erliss Maurine Petersen, 89, of Austin, Minn., died Sunday morning, March 31, 2013, at her home in Austin.

Erliss was born on Dec. 5, 1923, in Albert Lea, Minn., the daughter of Harry C. and Josephine L. (Nelson) Olson. She attended school in Albert Lea and on Feb. 20, 1941, she was united in marriage to Marion D. “Mike” Petersen in Albert Lea. The couple made their home in Austin, where Erliss was employed for 40 years at the Geo A. Hormel Company, retiring in 1983. She enjoyed baking for her family, especially her chocolate chip cookies, as well as playing cards and going on bus trips. She was an active member of St. Olaf Lutheran Church. Her husband, Marion “Mike” died on April 17, 1994.

Survivors include four children, Carol (Eric) Jensen of Austin, Ritchie (Sandy) Petersen of Rochester, Minn., Joni (Gene) Dalhoff of Baraboo, Wis., and Terry (Dawn) Petersen of Austin; nine grandchildren, Jessica McGuire, Kellee Kirby, Brian Petersen, Eric Petersen, Kristin Dalhoff Greisinger, Christopher Dalhoff, Nicholas Dalhoff, Jenny Petersen and Dan Petersen; five great-grandchildren; one sister, Lorraine Bakken of Albert Lea; and many nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Marion “Mike” Petersen on April 17, 1994; son, Jerry in 1959; and one sister, Dorothy Olson in infancy.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, April 3, 2013, at St. Olaf Lutheran Church in Austin with Todd Portinga, AIM, officiating. Interment will follow the service in Oakwood Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, April 2 at the Worlein Funeral Home and for one hour prior to the service at the church on Wednesday. Memorials are requested for cancer research at The Hormel Institute of Austin. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com.