Curtis 'Curt' Kenneth Peterson

Curtis "Curt" Kenneth Peterson passed away on Feb. 24, 2026, at his home in Somers with his wife, daughters and niece by his side, beginning what he would call his "last great adventure." A proud son of Anaconda and Butte, Curt's journey was defined by the grit he developed as a boy shining shoes and selling papers on the city streets. He also spent summers at Skinny Francisco’s Ranch in the Big Hole, working with his dad, building the house and barn, cutting hay, tending to the animals, fishing and hunting. This early hustle transformed into a lifelong dedication to hard work. Though he traveled the world, he never forgot the Butte friends who stood by him from the beginning, citing their support as the key to his accomplished life.

From his earliest days, Curt possessed an adventurous spirit that never wavered. As a child in Butte, he treated the entire area as his playground — hitchhiking to Anaconda for fishing, roaming around on his bike and braving Butte’s steep, icy hills on sleds built from car-hoods. His fearless attitude continued throughout his life; he was known to casually announce he was off to go skydiving, bungee jumping, or taking on the Canyon Swing at Wanaka, New Zealand, often leaving his family in a state of amused shock at his latest exploit.

After graduating from the Montana School of Mines as a petroleum engineer, Curt married his high school sweetheart, Diane Marsh. They completed their family with three daughters — Rhonda, Stacy and Shelly — and embarked on a life of global adventure. His work took them to Houston, Texas; Big Piney, Wyoming; Dubai; Tunisia and Ecuador, yet Montana always remained home. Every summer, the Petersons returned to Butte to reconnect with family. While living abroad, Curt and Diane were the heart of the expat community, frequently hosting or attending social clubs and dinners. As hardworking and accomplished as Curt was, he never lost his mischievous streak; his playful shenanigans were a constant and beloved fixture of their social life. What started in high school through track and field and cross country, Curt’s love of running began. He, later, ran two marathons, which eventually led to him joining the Hash House Harriers in Tunis and Ecuador, known as an international "drinking group with a running problem."  

After 37 years of marriage, Diane passed. Following this loss, Curt’s adventurous spirit took him to China for work. A move that eventually led to a beautiful new chapter. While in Beijing, he joined a hiking group. On his very first excursion to the unrestored sections of the Great Wall of China, Curt boarded the bus and unknowingly committed the "mistake" of sitting in Jan McDonald’s regular seat. That chance encounter sparked a connection that grew into a 17-year marriage.

Curt and Jan were perfectly matched by their mutual love for hiking, fishing, and the great outdoors. They never shied away from a grueling trail or a bit of friendly rivalry; at the many mountain lakes they visited, there was always a competition to see who would land the biggest catch of the day. Their extensive hikes included the iconic Milford Track in New Zealand, the Schafer Meadow to Big Bear in the Bob Marshall Wilderness, and a particular fondness for the hike to Glacier Lake in the Mission Mountains.  

When Curt retired as the country manager for China, they returned to Montana. Curt and Jan purchased a cabin in Condon, and it wasn’t long before Curt became dedicated to restoring the land’s natural beauty. He and his son-in-law Shane worked side-by-side to thin the overgrowth, transforming the landscape to create a spectacular view of the Swan River on their property.  

Curt’s later years were marked by a battle with Parkinson’s disease, yet he continued to travel and explore with his trademark curiosity. Through Rock Steady Boxing, where he was fondly known as "Pistol Pete," he joined a supportive network of people with Parkinson’s committed to staying active and resilient, always ready to answer the call: "Who are we? Rock Steady! What do we do? Fight back!"

Curt was preceded in death by his first wife, Diane, son-in-law, Shane Andersen, grandson, Cooper Curtis Andersen, parents and siblings, as well as lifelong friends, Holt Corette and Joe Stimpson. 

Curt will be missed by his wife, Jan, daughters, Rhonda, Stacy (son-in-law, David Ballew) and Shelly Andersen and grandchildren, Alice (Alec Martin), Kyle and Taylor. Curt will also be missed by friends and relatives, especially niece, Renee Keith Frickle and nephew, Bob Peterson, along with his extended New Zealand family.  

We loved on Earth, may we love in heaven.

Following cremation, a celebration of life will take place this summer in the Flathead Valley. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Flathead Valley Parkinson’s Support Group at 200 Jorgenson Trail, Columbia Falls, MT 59912, or a charity of your choice.