Dorothy Marie Peterson

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

 Dorothy lived with her parents and siblings farming near Slater, Iowa. In her junior year of high school, the family moved to Cut Bank, Montana and while in Cut Bank, she met her future husband Donald Kenneth 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.

 Dorothy was devoted to her husband and family.  The family moved across Montana.  First in Missoula then worked in Florence-Carleton, Frenchtown, Belt, Choteau, Whitefish, Laurel, and Bigfork for Don’s teaching, work, and Naismith Hall of Fame basketball coaching career.  Dorothy was the team’s biggest fan as anyone attending the games can attest.

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

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

Dorothy enjoyed parenthood, especially being part of her children’s growth.   She followed 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”.  In her final years, she bowled, played golf, continued to sing as long as she was able, she then traveled to see family.  

 Dorothy was a loving mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, and aunt with quick wit and a warm smile. She is 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 & Lillian Eide, Stepmother Mae Eide, son-in-law Bob Baxter, brother Noel Eide, and husband of more than 53 years Donald Peterson.

 A funeral service will be on June 18 at 10:00 AM in Cut Bank, Montana at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 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.      

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