Lori Peterson Rubenzer passed on from us on Monday, November 26, 2018, at 12:20 p.m. at her home in rural Spring Valley, Minn. Lori was 58 years old. She was surrounded by her close family. Lori tenaciously battled lung cancer for the past 16 years. She endured several surgeries, countless radiation and chemo therapy treatments, as well as uncountable alternative approaches and diets. Her friends and family appreciated her valiant efforts to fight this terrible disease.
Lori was born in Rochester, Minn., on September 10, 1960, to Robert and Carol Peterson of Racine, Minn. She attended grade school in Racine and graduated from Stewartville High School in 1978. Lori attended Cosmetology Training Center in Rochester in 1979, graduated, received her license, and then completed her instructor training and worked as an instructor at CTC for one year. Lori moved to Minneapolis, where she attended the University of MN and worked as a hair stylist at a Great Clips salon on the U of M campus, where she met David Rubenzer in 1984. They were married in 1989.
Lori became a franchisee of Great Clips in 1985 and convinced her family to join her in that investment. At the time of her passing, Lori and her partners and family members operated a number of Great Clips salons in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa.
Lori enjoyed spending time with her family and friends at their peaceful retreat in Spring Valley, Camp Roscoe, named after her beloved dog Roscoe. Lori enjoyed spending time with family and friends and savored everything about life and nature. The thing that brought Lori the most joy was being “NANA” to her four precious granddaughters. Her smile would light up a room and she always had a kind word for everyone.
Lori is survived by her husband David Rubenzer, children: Justin Rubenzer of Galena, S. Dak., and Sara (Jason) Vennink of Prior Lake, Minn.; granddaughters: Nichole, Layla, Lauryn, and Layton; parents Robert and Carol Peterson of Racine; sisters Cindy Malone of Racine, and Julie Schnabel of Rochester; and brothers Larry Peterson and Lynn Peterson of Racine.
Services for Lori were private. There will be a celebration of Lori’s life at Camp Roscoe on June 8, 2019.
In lieu of cards and flowers, Lori requested that donations be made to Feed My Starving Children.