Celebrating the Life of Glennis Marie Peterson: A Legacy of Faith and Love
Gathered within the walls of First Lutheran Church of Norway Lake in New London, Minnesota, family and friends will assemble on December 7, 2024, to celebrate the life of Glennis Marie Peterson.
Glennis peacefully transitioned to her eternal heaven on November 24, 2024, surrounded by the warmth and love of her family in Naples, Florida.
Born on December 27, 1936, in Graceville, Minnesota, Glennis was the fifth child of six, born to Frank and Hilda Jacobs, a family rooted in Wheaton, Minnesota.
Love blossomed for Glennis while attending West Central School of Agriculture High School in Morris. There she met the love of her life, Dallen W. Peterson, in 1952. United in marriage in March 1955 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Wheaton, they embarked on a shared journey, nurturing five children and becoming pillars of love and faith.
Innovators and entrepreneurs, Dallen and Glennis ventured into the world of franchise ownership, establishing Merry Maids in 1980. Starting as a family affair, their vision blossomed into a global endeavor. By 1988, Merry Maids had become the world’s largest franchised cleaning business, a testament to their collaborative spirit and dedication.
Retiring in 1988, Glennis and Dallen embraced a lived filled with new adventures. In 1989, they moved back to Sunburg, Minnesota, welcoming the sunshine of Florida winters as “snowbirds” starting in 1991, dividing their time between Sunburg and Naples.
Glennis’s time was spent pursuing her passions, reflecting a remarkable creative spirit. An accomplished seamstress, Glennis lovingly crafted unique and intricate quilts for each of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren—a treasured legacy of handmade warmth and devotion.
Retirement opened doors for Glennis to further explore her talents. She devoted herself to piano lessons, brightened her world with the vibrant colors of oil painting, and spent years immersed in the world of quarter horses. This passion led her to earn the prestigious Aremington to win Amateur Showmanship at the American Quarter Horse World Championship in 1998, a testament to her dedication and horsemanship.
Family was the heart and soul of Glennis’s life. Her unwavering voice of love always resonated through acts of service. She prayed fervently for her loved ones, always readily available with words of kindness and truth, never shying away from speaking from the heart with love. Glennis filled her home with laughter, her contagious joy lingering after she exited the room.
Glennis is survived by her husband of nearly 70 years, Dallen; their children: Kim Huff, Kristae (Peter) Zandbergen, Brian (Kim) Peterson, Karma (Dan) Smith, and Brett (Cheryl) Peterson; 20 grandchildren and 32 great-grandchildren who dearly cherished her love and wisdom; and a multitude of beloved nieces and nephews who held a place in her heart as if they were her own.
Glennis is preceded in death by her parents, Hilda and Frank Jacobs, her sister Yvonne (Jacobs) Rinke, brother-in-law Les Rinke, sister Ilene (Jacobs) Rinke, brother Gordon Jacobs, sister-in-law Betty Jacobs, brother Orrin Jacobs, sister-in-law Audrey Jacobs, and brother Dale Jacobs.
Visitation will be held on December 6, 2024, at Johnson Funeral Home in New London, Minnesota, from 4-6 pm, preceded by one hour before the service at the church beginning at 1:00 pm. Interment will follow at the church cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to an organization of your choice in Glennis’ name.
What were some of Glennis Peterson’s notable achievements throughout her life?
## Remembering Glennis Peterson: A Life of Love, Faith, and Quilts
**Host:** Welcome to the show. Today, we’re remembering the life of Glennis Marie Peterson, who passed away peacefully on November 24th at the age of 87. With us today is [Guest Name], a close friend of Glennis. Welcome.
**Guest:** Thank you for having me. It’s an honor to talk about Glennis.
**Host:** Glennis led a remarkable life. Can you tell us a bit about her early years and how she met her beloved husband, Dallen?
**Guest:** Glennis was born and raised in Minnesota, one of six children in a loving family. It was at West Central School of Agriculture High School where she met Dallen, the love of her life. Their connection was instant, and they were married in 1955.
**Host:** Their story is truly inspiring. She was also known for her entrepreneurial spirit. Could you elaborate on that?
**Guest:** Absolutely. Together, Glennis and Dallen built Merry Maids into an international success story. They started small, as a family business, but their vision and hard work led them to create the world’s largest franchised cleaning company. It’s a testament to their dedication and partnership.
**Host:** After retiring, Glennis didn’t slow down. She found new passions, especially quilting.
**Guest:** Glennis was an incredibly gifted seamstress. She poured her heart into creating beautiful, intricate quilts for every one of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Each quilt was a labour of love, a tangible expression of her warmth and devotion.
**Host:** What a wonderful tribute. Glennis Peterson will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
**Guest:** She truly touched everyone she met with her kindness, faith, and love. Her legacy will live on through her family and the countless lives she enriched.