Holly Ann Petersen

Holly Petersen of Coon Rapids passed away peacefully surrounded by her family Thursday, November 8, 2018 at Abbott-Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis at the age of 39.

On September 5th, 1979 at 12:36 pm Holly Ann (Berglund) Petersen blessed us with her bright light and love of life. Holly spent most of her childhood growing up in Pine City, with a year when she was 2 down in sunny Arizona. Holly attended the Pine City Schools where she made many connections with friends and faculty.

At the age of 12 she lost her mom to cancer which was very hard for her, but she kept a smile on her face and a positive attitude. Then at the age of 19 she herself was diagnosed with a brain tumor. With this new challenge in her life she dealt with it head on with courage, determination and of course humor. 

With her sense of adventure and kind of gypsy spirit her brain tumor could not slow her down. Holly moved a few times until she found herself at Crossnore School in North Carolina, where she was a residential counselor. There is where she met the love of her life, Keith Petersen. They both knew from the moment they saw each other at church one Sunday that they would be together. Holly and Keith started dating in February of 2006.  They moved back to Pine City that summer and by September were engaged. They were married on July 4th of 2007.  Holly and Keith rented a house in Hugo for about a year; in 2009 they bought a house in Coon Rapids, Minnesota where they lived with their two fur babies, Beau and Kota. 

Holly worked at Abbott Northwestern Hospital as an Instrument Sterilization Processor; the progression of her tumor forced her to "retire".  She really enjoyed her job and her co-workers during her time there. 

As we all know, Holly had her struggles in life, but she never complained, never gave up hope and never let it slow her down. She truly was an inspiration to so many. She was always quick with her humor and took everything in stride. Everywhere Holly went she would light up a room with her smile and infectious personality. She was a treasured daughter, sister, niece, cousin, aunt and friend. She will be missed by so many. Consider yourself lucky to be loved by this girl, because she did it with her whole heart. 

She is survived by her loving husband Keith Petersen of Coon Rapids; step-son Wesley Petersen of Athens, Alabama; father Dick Berglund of Hinckley; brother Jade Berglund and his wife Marcie; niece Madisen and nephews Brady and Zach all of Pine City; grandmother Cheslyn Gandy of Tucson, Arizona; many aunts, uncles, cousins, other relatives and friends.

Holly was preceded in death by her mother Barbara Berglund; brother Beau Berglund; grandparents Jim and Ruthellen Berglund; grandfathers Thomas Hampton and Gerald Gandy.

Pastors Fred Hanson, Bob Huddleston and Edward Shawa will officiate at funeral services for Holly: 11 AM; Monday, November 12, 2018 at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Pine City.  A time of visitation and reviewal  is planned for Sunday evening from 4-7 PM at the Swanson Funeral Chapel in Pine City and also one hour prior to the service at the church.

In keeping with Holly’s wishes please come to her funeral dressed in hoodies and jeans.

Memorials may be directed to Holly’s brother Beau Berglund Scholarship Fund.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the: Funeral and Cremation Service of Pine City, Swanson Chapel.  www.FuneralAndCremationService.com