Kurt Jeffrey Peterson

Kurt Jeffrey Peterson, 68, Mandan, passed away unexpectedly July 17, 2023, at his home in Mandan. Visitation will be held on Thursday, July 20 from 5-7 PM with a Time of Sharing at 6 PM at Weigel Funeral Home in Mandan. Committal service will be on Friday, July 21 at 11:00 AM at the North Dakota Veteran’s Cemetery in Mandan with full military honors.

Kurt was born in Dickinson, ND to Calvin and Betty Peterson on September 12, 1954. One of five children, he was the youngest boy. He graduated from Bismarck High School in 1972, and from there went on to attend Bismarck Junior College and later Saint Mary’s University. Following college, he joined the Army as a linguist.  This ignited his love of travel, a love he shared with his wife and children. Kurt had been to all fifty states and all the continents except Antarctica.

He married Marlane Peterson (nee Loeb) in 1985 and they moved to Germany together and had their first of two children. After several years as a Russian translator in Europe, they moved back to the US and had their second child. Following several more moves including Washington DC, and California, they relocated to North Dakota to be closer to family. In North Dakota he thrived, becoming an English Teacher at Solon High School south of Mandan, and later a teacher at the Braves Center Academy before his retirement. He was open about his struggles with mental health with his students, and used his experiences to help those in similar situations. An avid writer he wrote a book in 2020 and was working on a memoir at the time of his death. Kurt loved using his gifts to help others. He was a volunteer at the prison teaching a writing course and donated many historical items to the Heritage Center. He will be remembered for his sharp wit, kindness and cooking, his home being a safe haven for family and friends, good food, and bad jokes.  

He is survived by his daughters Liz (Bradley) Peterson and Grace (Sam) Peterson, as well as his brother Bruce (Kim), and sisters Sherry (Mark) and Penny (Greg).

He is preceded in death by his wife Marlane, parents, and his brother Ron.