Audrey Ann (Williams) Peterson, age 90, died peacefully on Thursday, September 3, 2026, at Fairview Southdale Hospital. At the time of her death, she was living independently at Prairie Bluffs Senior Living in Eden Prairie, MN.

Audrey was born on October 24, 1935, at home in Westerheim Township, Lyon County, MN. She was the daughter of Lawrence Herman (“L.H.” or “Herman”) and Anna Irene (Mandsager) Williams. She attended country school in rural Minnesota before graduating in 1952 at age 16 from St. James High School in St. James, MN, and enrolled in Mankato State University that fall.

On November 20, 1954, she married Philip Richard Peterson (“Phil” or “Dickie”) in San Antonio, TX. The couple immediately moved to Japan while Phil was serving in the Air Force. Their son, Scott, was born there in January 1956. They returned to Mankato, MN, in late 1957. After Phil completed his degree at Mankato State and began working for IDS, they moved to South Minneapolis. The family relocated to Burnsville, MN, in 1962—back when it was mostly cornfields—and their daughter, Ann, was born that August. In 1998, Audrey moved to Eden Prairie to be closer to work and her family while maintaining close ties with her Burnsville friends.

Audrey had several careers throughout her life. She worked for many years as an assistant to William A. Schaefer, a noted architect who designed many Lutheran churches throughout the Upper Midwest. She later worked at Gull Engineering in operations, and when the company was purchased, she took on a new role at MTS Systems in Eden Prairie, MN, where she eventually retired. After retirement, she volunteered at Fairview Ridges Hospital and helped with the annual Prince of Peace Garage Sale.

Audrey and Phil were charter members of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church when it was established in 1963, and Audrey remained active in various church ministries for over 60 years. Her faith and her church family were a vital part of her life. After Phil died in January 1984, Audrey kept herself busy and continued to devote herself to the people she loved.

She was known for the many recipes she lovingly shared. Her famous brownies, taco salad, puff corn, and banana cake were just a few of the favorites that became a staple of so many gatherings and memories. Her joy in her loved ones was especially evident in hosting and attending family holidays and celebrations through the years. Family members delighted in her longstanding reuse of Dayton’s department store gift boxes, her dignified participation in chaotic family board games, and her diligent cross-country distribution of lefse to grandchildren. Audrey also loved her daily crossword challenge and was especially fond of jigsaw puzzles, always having one in the works on a table in her home.

Audrey was an avid sports fan who faithfully cheered on the Vikings, Twins, and Gophers. Even more important to her, though, was being in the stands for the countless practices and games of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, as well as the children of many of her friends. She loved receiving pictures and videos from every event and took great joy in following along, even when she couldn’t be there in person.

Audrey was a dedicated employee, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend. She had a generous heart, a quiet demeanor, and a remarkable ability to always be there when someone needed her. She never forgot a birthday or special event and was always ready to celebrate and spend time with loved ones. Audrey was simply someone you could count on.

Audrey is survived by her son, Scott (Julie) Peterson of Naples, FL; daughter, Ann (Steve) Trinter of Eden Prairie, MN; grandchildren Wade (Katelyn) Peterson of Excelsior, MN, Hilary Peterson of Washington, DC, Paige Trinter of Charlotte, NC, and Cole Trinter of Charlotte, NC; and great-grandchildren Sidney and Holden Peterson of Excelsior, MN, who called her “GGA” (short for Great Grandma Audrey). She is also survived by her sister, Maxine Sayler of Lakewood, CO; sisters-in-law Avis Petterson of Northfield, MN, and Janet Peterson of Bloomington, MN; and many loving nieces and nephews, extended relatives, and numerous friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Philip; brothers Eugene Williams, Lyle Williams, and Arden Williams; sister Eunice Broughton; brothers-in-law Conrad Broughton, James Peterson, Lee Peterson, Larry Petterson, and Norm Madson; sisters-in-law Faye Williams, Janice Williams, Arlene Williams, Phyllis “Tootsie” Madson, and Trudell Peterson; nephews Lee Arden Williams, Bill Johnson, and Luke Petterson; and nieces Barb Mays and Carol Peterson. Audrey also had a special place in her heart for Izzy, the Trinter family dog, who passed away in May 2026.

Memorial Service: Monday, November 2, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 13801 Fairview Dr., Burnsville, MN. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service and a luncheon will follow. Interment: 2:00 p.m. at Fort Snelling National Cemetery. Memorials: In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to Prince of Peace Foundation.

Full obituary available at whitefuneralhomes.com