Eileen P. Peterson

Eileen Patricia Peterson, 70, passed away on December 26, 2025. She was the fourth child of Gertrude Peterson (Collen) and Maynard J. Peterson and grew up in East Bethel.

She attended Linwood Elementary School and graduated from Forest Lake high School in 1974. In high school, Eileen welcomed new opportunities for girls to participate in sports, and she received varsity letters in volleyball, basketball, softball, and track. She remained active in sports for many years, and, together with her sister, Barb, coached the Forest Lake seventh grade girls’ volleyball team for 15 years.

Eileen completed the commercial cooking program at Anoka Technical College and worked as a cook for many years, first at the University of Minnesota and later Forest Lake School District, where she served students at several schools. Eileen thoroughly enjoyed her career as a cook. She took a personal interest in the students she served and was always pleased when students called her “lunch lady.”

But the most important event in her career occurred by surprise. While serving students at St. Peter’s Elementary School, Eileen met the love of her life William A. Abler (Bill), who also worked at the school, and they married in 2006. Together, they enjoyed traveling and spending time with family and friends. When Bill experienced health problems that required extensive care, Eileen became his primary caregiver until her own health problems made it impossible for her to continue.

Eileen was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Maynard M. Peterson (Gayla). She is survived by her beloved Bill, her sister, Barbara Penttila (Rick) and her brother, Randy Peterson (Jennifer Bloom), by several nieces and nephews, and by Bill’s children, grandchildren, and great grandchild.

Eileen was a generous, thoughtful person who made others feel seen. We will miss her dearly.

A gathering of family and friends will be held from 4:00-6:00 p.m., Thursday, January 8, 2026 at Mattson Funeral Home, 343 North Shore Drive, Forest Lake, Minnesota 55025. A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m., Friday, January 9, 2026 at the funeral home with a gathering one-hour prior. Private interment at Calvary Cemetery, Forest Lake, Minnesota. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Forest Lake Community Scholarship Fund.