Frances Louise Anderson

Frances “Frani” Louise (Peterson) Anderson, 80, of St. Peter, MN died on April 1st, 2026 at Benedictine Living Community after a short struggle with Alzheimer’s disease.

Frani was born on August 22, 1945 in Minneapolis, MN. She was the younger of two children born to William and Frances (LaDu) Peterson. At the age of four, Frani moved with her family to St. Louis Park where she graduated from high school in 1963. Frani enjoyed all things social while at Park High, participating in Student Council, French Club, National Honor Society, Blue Tri, Canteen Club, Art Club, and Homecoming court.

After high school, Frani went on to attend Gustavus Adolphus College. She was awarded a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Art in the spring of 1967. While at Gustavus, she was a member of the Alpha Phi Rho Sorority, Ski Club, and participated in Intramural Powderpuff Football. She was also a candidate for both Homecoming and Frost Queens. It was at Gustavus where she met her husband, Mark Henry Anderson ‘66. They married on December 17, 1966 in St. Louis Park, and lived in Virginia, MN, St. Louis Park, and Minneapolis before finally settling in St. Peter in 1978.

Frani had a rich variety of careers throughout her life that, at different times, included assistant merchandise manager, interior designer, corporate buyer, art consignment store co-owner, stay-at-home mom, and marketing director. She also owned frani’s Hallmark (and yes, it was spelled with a small “f”) in St. Peter. It was, however, her final position as paraprofessional in the library at North Intermediate School that she always said was her favorite job. She loved working with the children and helping them to enjoy the books and all that the media center had to offer.

Mark and Frani had two children, Joseph (Joey) Anderson and Lindsey (Anderson) Carlson. Frani loved making childhood fun for her children and was always ready with a creative activity to keep them occupied and to expand their imaginations and love for learning. Her hobbies included fishing, jigsaw puzzles, reading, and straightening every crooked picture in every room in every building she ever entered.

Frani was an active member of the St. Peter Community, serving on the Tourism Commission, Retail Council, St. Peter Educational Foundation, Neighborfest Committee, St. Peter Revitalization Inc., Lions Club, Downtown Decoration and Lighting Committee, and Chamber of Commerce throughout the years. She was also active in the First Lutheran Church Community, Arts and Heritage, the Library Associates at Gustavus, and was a long-time member of the Philanthropic Educational Organization (PEO) sisterhood of St. Peter.

Frani was preceded in death by her husband Mark, son Joey, parents William and Frances (LaDu) Peterson, brother Dennis Peterson, parents-in-law Andrew and Irene (Lueders) Anderson, sister-in-law Audree Anderson LeCompte, and brother-in-law William LeCompte. She leaves behind her daughter Lindsey (Eric) Carlson, her sister-in-law Nancy Bevin, brother-in-law John (Janet) Anderson, her nephews and their families, and many bonus family members and cherished friends. She and her, at times, outrageous humor will be greatly missed by all.

A celebration of life will be held at First Lutheran Church in St. Peter on Saturday, April 18th. A visitation will be held at 10:00 am at the church, the funeral at 11:00 am, and a luncheon following the service. Frani will then be inurned in the Columbarium on the campus of Gustavus Adolphus College at 2:00 pm. In lieu of flowers or gifts, please consider donating to the Alzheimer’s Association (at alz.org), First Lutheran Church of St. Peter, the Nicollet County Historical Society, the Gustavus Arboretum, or to a charity of your choice.