Bernice L. Peterson

Bernice Fowler Peterson passed away at age 89, on July 13, 2017.  She was born on August 18, 1927 in Conrad to Clifford Fowler and Gunhild Dahl Fowler.  Next her brother, George, was born.  Her mother passed away from an unexpected illness a few years later.  Her father later married Pearl Otteson and with Pearl’s daughter, Alain, and their daughter, Joyce, and their son, Ron, the family was complete.  Bernice’s home was on the family homestead on the Pondera Coulee.  She grew up killing snakes, driving tractor, and helping with the livestock.  Life on the farm was hard, but strong family values made it a great way to grow up.

Bernice married Robert Peterson in August 1951, and to that union, two children were born, Mona and Daniel.  Their home was in Great Falls, until Bernice and Robert divorced in 1957.  At that point, the family moved to Conrad.

Bernice was a free spirit and lived life to the fullest.  She was featured in the 1957 Guns Magazine with Ed McGivern.  She was a pioneer of her time working to become a female speed shooter.  This was just one of her many accomplishments.  Bernice was an avid naturalist and took pleasure in watching and identifying all species of plant and critter that landed in her garden.  Yes, the garden was a big part of her summer.  She loved to watch all the plants grow.  Bernice was also a poet that had many of her poems published in books and magazines throughout the world.

She loved the Lord and her faith gave her much happiness and courage in the hard times.

Bernice was preceded in death by her infant brother, Everett; her parents; brother, George; and sister, Alain.

Bernice is survived by her daughter, Mona, and husband, Jim Nickol, of Ledger their sons, Tony and wife, Lacy, and children, Elizabeth and Augustus of Conrad and Owen and wife, Jenna, and children, Sabra and Cyrus of Ronan; son, Daniel and wife, Barbara, of Anchorage, AK; brother, Ron and his wife, Joan, of Rock Springs, WY; and sister, Joyce, of Ammon, ID.

Even though twilight has come,

And my time on Earth is done,

I have left a family to carry on.

Memorials are suggested to the Montana Audubon Association.

Private services will be held.