Leonard "Pete" Peterson

April 21, 1904 - April 2, 1992   

87 years,  11 months, 12 days 

Marriage:   Emma Malora Morris - married October 16, 1929

Children of Pete & Emma:
  Arvada Joyce Peterson (McNabb) (Simcoe) (1931-2018 / 87 years)
James Allen "Jim" Peterson (1933-1975 / 42 years)
Jon Quentin Peterson
Timothy Michael "Tim" Peterson

Leonard A. Peterson's Obituary

Leonard A. Peterson, 87, Houston, formerly of Minot, died Thursday in his home of natural causes. His funeral will be today at 2 p.m. in Hanson-Runsvold Funeral Home, with burial in Sunset Memorial Gardens, both Fargo.

He was born April 21, 1904, in Washburn, to Louie and Anna Peterson. He later moved with his family to Ryder where he grew up and attended school. He taught school near Raub and later farmed there with his father and uncle. He married Emma Morris in 1929 in Lansford. They lived in Beulah where he owned and operated a meat market and grocery store. In 1933, they moved to Bismarck where he was a registrar of the Motor Vehicle Department.

In 1942, he joined the Federal Food Program and moved to Minot where he established the hot lunch program for North Dakota. He later became an area sales representative for Hobart Food Equipment Co. and in 1950 moved to Fargo. He worked for that company for 27 years.

He retired in 1977 and they moved to Big Floyd Lake, near Detroit Lakes, Minn. They moved to Houston and later became residents of Wesbrae Retirement Court, in Houston, Texas.

He was a 32nd Degree Mason, a life member of the Fraternal Order of the Elks and El Zagel Shrine.

Survivors: wife; sons, Jon, Seattle, Tim, Council Bluffs, Iowa; daughter, Arvada Simcoe, Missouri City, Texas; 10 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren.

Leonard Arnold "Pete" Peterson

Leonard A. (Pete) Peterson was born on April 21, 1904, at Washburn, North Dakota.  His family was originally from Norway and were one of the first families to homestead in North Dakota.

He was baptized into the Christian faith at the First Lutheran Church in Washburn.  He attended school at Ryder, ND, where he graduated from high school.  For one year he taught all eight grades in a rural school.  At one time he ranched with his father and uncle near Fort Berthold Indian Reservation in western ND, where he had many Indian friends.

On October 16, 1929, he married Emma Morris of Lansford, ND.  They resided in Beulah, ND, where he owned and operated a meat market and grocery store.  He was also employed in the coal mines.  Moving to Bismarck, ND, in 1933, he served as Register to the Motor Vehicle Department.  After moving to Minot, ND, in 1942, he established the government school lunch program for the state.  They then moved to Fargo, ND, in 1950 as a representative of the Hobart Food Equipment Co., retiring in 1972.

Moving to Houston in 1987, they have resided in Westbrae Court.  They joined Salem in 1990 as associate members.

Pete is a life-time member of the Elks, a 32nd Mason and a Shriner.  He was an active participant in the Chamber of Commerce and Lutheran Church.  He enjoyed fishing, golf and other outdoor activities.

Pete died in the evening on Thursday, April 2, following complications from a stroke.

His remains have been cremated and will be interred at Sunset Memorial Cemetery in Fargo, ND

Taken from the church bulletin at Pete's memorial service at Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church, Houston, TX, April 4, 1992

Leonard A. (Pete) Peterson

Leonard Arnold (Pete) Peterson's Norwegian parents were from families that were among the first to homestead in North Dakota.  Pete was baptized at First Lutheran Church in Washburn and later attended school at Rider, ND where he graduated from high school.

For one year Pete taught all eight grades in a rural school.  At one time he ranched with his father and uncle near Fort Berthold Indian Reservation in western ND, where he had many Indian friends.

After marrying Emma Morris, they lived in Beulah, ND, where they owned and operated a meat market and grocery store.   He was also employed in the coal mines.  In 1933, they moved to Bismarck, ND, where Pete was Register of the Motor Vehicle Department.  In 1942 they moved to Minot, ND and Pete established the government school lunch program for the state.  When Pete became a representative for Hobart Food Equipment Co. in 1950, they moved to Fargo, ND.

After retiring in 1972, Pete and Emma moved to their lake home near Detroit Lakes, MN to live.  Winters were spent in Texas.  Then, in 1987, they sold their lake home and moved to Houston, TX.

Pete was lifetime member of the Elks, a 32nd Mason, and a Shriner.  He was active in the Chamber of Commerce and the Lutheran Church.  He enjoyed fishing, golf, and other outdoor activities.

Pete died following complications from a stroke.

Emma was born in Lansford, ND, to Walter G. and Arvada Morris on December 11, 1905.  She obtained a teacher's degree from Minot State Teacher's College and taught for many years in the rural schools in North Dakota.  Later she worked with her husband Pete for Hobart Sales and Service in Fargo, ND.

Emma died peacefully at the age of 9 in a Houston, Texas hospital.

The P2 Ranch - written by Emma Peterson

The P2 Ranch was the homestead of Curtis Peterson .  It was also home to the Louie Peterson family.  During the school year Leonard (Pete), Myrtle & Gladys lived in Ryder with Mrs. Peterson.  After high school Leonard ranched with Curtis.  Louie's homestead was nearby, also in Loquement Township.  Ella Peterson (Boe) also homesteaded there.  In 1924-25 Leonard (Pete) taught the Nygard school, about five miles from the ranch where he stayed helping with the evening chores, etc.  The school was filled - every grad with 40 or so students.  It was quite an experienc, and he took the job at the insistence of the board.  Two other teachers had taught for a few days or week, and under th rural condition, of being janitor, and discipline troubles decided it was too much for them and as being locked in or .  Pete after completing the term, during the five miles fighting the cold & snow of the cold months received a check for his services.  He deposited it in the bank in Ryder.  Before enjoying using it, the bank closed.  Well it was a good deed and he did enjoy the children and people of that community.

He married Emma Morris in Lansford, ND, a Ryder school teacher, in 1929.  They lived in Beulah, ND for two years until 1933.  He worked in the Knife River Coal Mine and then to a job in the Motor Vehicle Department in Bismarck, ND.

Kinstories (home)  -  Peterson Family (home)  -  Johnson Family  -  Susag Family  -  Flatau Family  -  Beckman Family
Granquist Family  -  Anderson Family  -  Stout Family  -  Walker Family  -  Morris Family  - Cauble Family