Joan K. Peterson, age 89, formerly of Frankenmuth, Michigan, passed away peacefully on September 13, 2025, at The Residences at Coffee Creek in Chesterton, Indiana. Her final wish-to return to her beloved Indiana-was fulfilled. We are comforted by the thought that she was lovingly welcomed by her husband, Daniel, and daughter, Anne, who preceded her in death.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am, Saturday, September 27, 2025, at St. Stanislaus Cemetery Chapel, 1015 Greenwood Ave., Michigan City, Indiana, with Deacon Doug Noveroske officiating. Burial will follow in St. Stanislaus Cemetery. A celebration of Joan's life will be announced at a later date. The Ott/Haverstock Funeral Chapel, Michigan City, IN, is handling arrangements.
Born on June 20, 1936, in Chicago, Illinois, Joan was the daughter of the late John K. and Bernadette (Harrison) Burke. She married Daniel C. Peterson on May 12, 1962, in Orange, California. Together, they built a life rooted in love, faith, family, and laughter. Joan is survived by: Her daughter, Susan (Stephen) Reider of Frankenmuth, MI; Her sons, Daniel B. Peterson and Michael (Lorene) Peterson, both of Frankenmuth, MI; Her sister, Mary Crump of Sebring, FL; Her brothers, David (Barbara) Burke and Dennis (Sandy) Burke, both of LaPorte, IN; and Her grandchildren: Meghan Reider of Chicago, IL, Sean Reider of Albuquerque, NM, Cullen Peterson of Ann Arbor, MI, William Peterson of Kalamazoo, MI, and Margaret Peterson of East Lansing, MI.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Daniel, on March 28, 2025, daughter Anne Mary Peterson, brothers John and Robert Burke, and sister Margaret Burke.
Joan dedicated her career to serving as a Registered Nurse at Memorial Hospital and many other hospitals throughout the country as they moved around with Dan’s career. She was a longtime member of Blessed Trinity Catholic Church in Frankenmuth and Notre Dame Catholic Church, Long Beach.
The family extends heartfelt gratitude to the front desk staff at Winter Village, Frankenmuth, especially Ryan, Ann, Jordan, and Abby, and Kelly
at Covenant Glen, AdvisaCare Hospice nurses Amber and Mary Jo; AdvisaCare Private Duty caregivers, Mary Frank and Lori Snyder from Blessed Trinity Church; and the compassionate and dedicated team at Coffee Creek Memory Care Unit and Providence Hospice, including Nancy, Patrice, Becky, Victoria, Lindsay, Kaylynn, Sue, Anna, and Danielle, who was with her right to the end and many others who cared for Joan and supported the family during her final months.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Little Angels Fund C/O FCF, PO BOX 386, Frankenmuth, MI 48734, or
foundation.org/donate-online memo line Frankenmuth Little Angels in honor of Joan K Peterson.
To sign a guest book and leave condolences online, visit our website at
www.otthaverstock.com.
