The Free Press, Mankato, MN

Obituaries

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Guest Book

October 29, 2012

Stella J. Pitts- Peterson

—   Stella J. Pitts-Peterson.  Funeral Services will be held on Friday, November 2, 2012, at 10:00 a.m. at the Oakwood United Methodist Church in New Ulm with Pastor Ric Jacobsen officiating.  Visitation will be 4 - 7 p.m. Thursday and from 7:30  8:00 a.m. Friday at the Minnesota Valley Funeral Home, South Chapel, New Ulm and one hour prior to the service at the church.  Burial will be in the New Ulm City Cemetery. To leave an online condolence for her family or to sign the guestbook go to: www.mvfh.org

 Stella is survived by her daughter, Elaine Midtbruget and special friend Stuart Schwieder; son-in-law, Larry Hennis; Grandchildren;  Steven and Pam Ardolf, Michael and Carrie Ardolf, Brian and Julia Ardolf, Brenda and Brian Engholm, Amy and Wayne Lund,  and JohnRoss Douglas; 13 great grandchildren; and many other family members in England and the Madelia area.  Stella was preceded in death by her parents and sister, Dorothy Briggs of Gosport, England; daughter Brandi Douglas-Hennis; granddaughter Lauren Tierney-Kleinschmidt, son-in-law David Midtbruget and three infant great-grandchildren.

 Stella Joyce Howell was born on September 6, 1925, in Lewisham, London, England, to George and Marjorie (Wallis) Howell; passed away on October 28, 2012, at Grandview Good Samaritan Home, St Peter.

  Stella married Loren Pitts at Fareham, England, in January 1944.  She worked in a munitions factory making shells for the Royal Navy battleships during WWII.  Stella came to America on the US Army troop ship, the E.B. Alexander in March 1946 with their baby daughter, Elaine.  Stella was the first British G.I. Bride to come to Madelia.  She worked in various factories in Madelia, at the Viking Vocational School in Hanska and at Gil-Mor Manor in Morgan.  Stella also helped Loren with the live bait business for many years.  Loren passed away in 1989.  Stella married Milo C. Peterson in 1992.  They made their home in Morgan and Hanska, prior to his passing in 1994. Stella lived in Sleepy Eye before moving to Lake Crystal where she resided for the last seventeen years.  Stella was an excellent seamstress.  She enjoyed knitting, reading, traveling and doing her daily crossword puzzles.  She enjoyed spending time with her family and her Tuesday shopping with long-time friend, Alicia Helling. She is a life member of the DAV Chapter 15 of New Ulm, the British G.I. Brides Club and the Methodist Church.  Stella was a former member of the Madelia Church of Christ. www.mvfh.org

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