Mary Lou Young

Mary Lou (Musser, Peterson) Young, 91, of Black River Falls passed away peacefully at home with family members November 12, 2024.

Mary Lou was born to John and Carrie Musser in 1933. She graduated from Melrose High School in 1951. Mary Lou proudly worked at the Rose Theater, Rose Cafe and Melrose High School. She married Duane Peterson of Black River Falls in 1953. After Duane's service in the United States Air Force they moved to Sun Prairie, Wisconsin where she was active in the church and community for 35 years. During that time Duane and Mary Lou purchased and operated Ten Mile Lake Camp in northwestern Ontario, Canada. They made many life time friends and memories at their fishing camp. Duane passed away in 1988 and Mary Lou remained in Sun Prairie for another 10 years. She married William Young, a former Melrose classmate, in 1996 and they returned to Black River Falls a couple years later.

Mary Lou was a kind and giving person. She thrived as she volunteered her time and talents to the various service community organizations where she lived: Jaycettes, Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts, Church, Interfaith Caregivers of Jackson County, and numerous other charities. She received many awards for her service including the Jaycettes Carol Award and the Outstanding Young Women of America award in 1968.

She was devoted to her family - mother of 3 children, grandmother of 9, great grandmother of 17 and beloved Aunt of many. She cherished each and every one of her children and grandchildren, never missing an opportunity to tell them how much she loved them and how proud she was of them. Mary Lou has left a lasting impression of love and kindness to all who knew and loved her.

Mary Lou was preceded in death by her parents, 8 siblings, husbands Duane and William and son Clip. She is survived by her son Kirk Peterson, daughter Kim (Pete) Strachan, daughter-in-law Cindy Peterson, step son Bill Young, sister-in-law Nyla Musser, grandchildren, great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Mary Lou will be laid to rest during a private graveside service at Riverside Cemetery on Monday, November 18th followed by a 2:00 pm luncheon gathering for family and friends at the Black River Falls Evangelical Lutheran Church.

Mary Lou requested in lieu of flowers donations be made to Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers of Jackson County, https://jcivc.org and the Radio Ministry of the ELC, https://www.brfelc.org/.

Roth Family Cremation Center and Funeral Services is assisting the family.