Maren Louise Heil

Maren Louise Heil entered into eternal rest on Friday, August 4, 2023.

Maren is survived by her husband, Bruce; sons, Jonathan and James (Nichole); 4 granddaughters and 1 grandson; brother, Armand; sister, Vereen; and several loving uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents and parents-in-law.

Maren Louise Peterson was born on January 1, 1953, to Verner and Leona Peterson in Hutchinson, MN.

Live. Love. Laugh. While this is a popular phrase we see on walls and t-shirts, it can also sum up the way Maren lived her life. She loved hard, and, if she loved you, you knew it. Her laugh was one of a kind and effortlessly infectious. She loved to laugh, and found ways to make others laugh. In her younger days, she was all about having fun. She was the life of the party and loved being around people, making them laugh and feel like they mattered. She had a good heart. She loved to “flip the loop” down main street, hang out at the Dairy Freeze, go to the movie theater, watch movies at the Buffalo Lake Drive-in movie theater with a big bag of popcorn made by Gramma Pete, hang out at the swimming pool in the summer, go to the races with a pack of friends, watch American Bandstand, drive Bruce’s Ford Mustang and listen to Elvis music. The holidays spent with family were some of her favorite times and it was when Maren was at her best. She always looked forward to spending time with her older sister and brother, Vereen and Armand, and their families. She was always the first to say, “I love you!”

When she met Bruce while at Hector High School, she met the love of her life and her soulmate. From then on, most of her activities and memories included him. She had a collection of stuffed animals which Bruce would win for her from county fairs. On June 3rd, 1972, the day they were married, it was one of her happiest. Maren was also gifted with being super intelligent, though she would never tell anyone. She whizzed through her classes and received a high-ranking job post Granite Falls tech.

Her two boys, Johnnie and Jimmy were two more reasons and purpose. They turned Maren into a “fierce Mama Bear.” Her life revolved around both of them. There was never a conversation she had without mentioning them. She was so happy and proud to be a grandma to “her girls.” Being a “boy mom,” she finally had girls with whom to share her “girl stuff.” Her finger-nails always had to be bedazzled and she always made sure she was looking her best in public. The VFW was a major focus in her life - she was so proud of Bruce being a US veteran. Being around other veterans, their spouses and families proved to be truly one of her “happy places.” And, she was a fierce Bingo competitor and loved playing pull tabs. She cherished trips and traveling with Bruce, whether it was to Graceland or to Sioux Falls or to her favorite restaurant.

Cancer took her life, but it didn’t take her spirit. She fought hard to Live Love Laugh.

A visitation will be held 5pm-8pm on Wednesday, August 9, 2023, at Kok Funeral Home (7676 80^th Street South, Cottage Grove, MN). Visitation will continue on Thursday, August 10, 2023 at 10am until the time of the memorial service at 11am, hosted at All Saints Lutheran Church (8100 Belden Blvd, Cottage Grove, MN). Pastor Steve Biedermann from Zion Lutheran Church will be presiding.