Jean was born on the family farm 4.5 miles west of Lockwood to Edwin and Jenny Ritz on June 2, 1918. She was the sixth of eight children. Jean took her schooling at Wilmot School achieving grade nine. She worked as a hired girl for several local families after leaving school. In the summer of 1936 while working at the Peter Sundquist home at Venn she met her future husband Anton (Tony) Peterson. The Peterson's moved to a farm 1 mile west of Lanigan in 1937 and Jean moved with them. Anton and Jean were married on October 18, 1938. They lived and farmed with his parents until they retired in Watrous in 1956. Jean and Anton continued farming on their own until 1975 when they sold the farm and moved into Lanigan. They enjoyed their life there until Anton passed away on August 23, 1993. With neighbour Darrell Smith keeping an eye on things (keeping things working, the grass cut and snow removed) Jean continued to live in her home until March of 2014 when she moved to assisted living at Evergreen Country Home in Leroy. Jean moved to Central Parkland Lodge in June of 2016.

For several years a number of families from Lanigan had gardens at the farm. Among them all there were 27 children. She enjoyed having them and always had cookies for a treat. She continued to keep track of the "kids" and their families.

Jean loved to quilt, an art she learned from her mother at an early age and passed on to many friends and neighbours. She continued to quilt into her nineties. In their early years of retirement they enjoyed golfing, camping and fishing with friends and family. They enjoyed socializing with friends on their deck in the back yard.

Jean was predeceased by her husband Anton (Tony) Peterson in 1993. Twin infant daughters Dawn Marie and Diane Christine in 1946. Her father Edwin in 1922 and mother Jenny in 1954. Siblings Merner (Ruby), Anita (Andy) Forner, Ethel (Bud) Forner, Perry, Louis (Aline), Edna (Lester) Meikle. Brother-in-law George Birtles. Father and Mother-in-law Andrew and Christina, Sisters-in-law Belle (Howard) Freeman and Annie (Ole) Sundquist.

Jean is survived by sister Alda Birtles, Sister-in-law Margaret Ritz, nieces and nephews and their families.