Dorothy Peterson, 94

Dorothy Marie (Eide) Peterson was born on Nov. 23, 1929, in Chicago, Illinois to Alvin and Lillian Eide. She passed away peacefully on June 2, 2024, in Laurel, at the age of 94.  

She lived with her parents and siblings farming near Slater, Iowa. In her junior year of high school, the family moved to Cut Bank, and while in Cut Bank, she met her future husband Donald Keneth Peterson on a blind date. After 1 ½ years of courtship, they married, and Dorothy joined Don in Missoula as he completed his studies at the University of Montana.  

She was devoted to her husband and family as they moved to the Montana towns of Frenchtown, Belt, Choteau and Laurel for Don’s teaching and Naismith Hall of Fame coaching career. Dorothy was the team’s biggest fan in the gymnasium during the games as anyone attending the games can truly attest. 

She was full of energy and vigor, she always found activities or jobs to occupy her time not spent raising her six children. In her youth she helped her “Daddy” out on the farm and developed a love for horses that continued into her adulthood. Dorothy and Don would saddle up the kids on the horses to participate in area parades and horse competitions for many years which led to the Peterson Ponies business. Her vast talents led to Dorothy working as a telephone operator, piano teacher, voice coach, P.E. teacher, Choral Director, Fuller Brush salesman, Telephone Surveyor, Athletic Store Manager, Real Estate Broker, Financial Planner, Insurance Office Manager, and Senior Center Executive Director. Once Don retired from teaching in 1980, Dorothy and Don moved from Laurel to Bigfork, where Dorothy embarked on her “favorite” job as a Financial Advisor/Stockbroker. When the opportunity arose, Dorothy’s organizational skills became very useful as the office manager for Don and Dorothy’s general insurance agency specializing in crop insurance. Dorothy was also the family “handyman,” building and fixing anything that needed to be built of fixed. Still full of energy when Don fully retired, Dorothy became the Executive Director of the Big Fork Senior Center for several years before finally retiring herself, in her 80’s. 

Dorothy had an undeniable passion for music from the time she was a small child until her passing. She recorded several CDs with her various groups, directed the church choir, and planned Christmas programs and many other events for many years. Dorothy was well known in the local music world for her singing, yodeling, coaching, writing, arranging and entertaining. She also had a talent for painting and was known as an accomplished golfer and bowler. When President Kennedy was assassinated, Dorothy was so moved and her youngest children (Lori and Rolf) were same age as Caroline and John, Jr. The day of the funeral, she wrote a poem entitled, “Dear Lady,” to Jackie Kennedy. 

She said the thing she enjoyed most about being a parent was being a part of her children’s growth and following their experiences out in the world. While other mothers cried when their kids left home, Dorothy was excited to see and hear about their good times, bad times and dreams. Her main goal for her children was “above all-education.” As for her final years, she bowled, played golf and continued to sing as long as she was able then traveled to see family.   

Dorothy was a loving mother, grandmother and aunt with quick wit and a warm smile. She will be missed by them all.  

She is survived by her children, Ric (Cindy), Lon (Debbie), Dee Baxter, Rand (Vicki), Lori (Mark) Valgardson and Rolf (Molly); sisters, Phylis Mackey and Sharon (Ron) Olsen; along with many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.  

She was preceded in death by her parents, Alvin and Lillian Eide; stepmother, Mae Eide; son-in-law, Bob Baxter; her brother, Noel Eide; and her husband of more than 50 years, Donald Peterson. 

A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. on June 18, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Cut Bank, with burial at Crown Hill Cemetery. Memorials may be sent in Dorothy’s name to St. Paul Lutheran Church 602 E. Main St. Cut Bank, MT 59427 or Bethany Lutheran Church PO Box 398, Bigfork, MT 59911.        

Condolences to www.asperfh.com.